Baltimore, MD – The Archdiocese of Baltimore is investigating an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor involving Father Paschal Morlino. Father Morlino is a Benedictine Monk from the Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, PA who formerly served as pastor at St. Benedict Church in Baltimore.
On October 15, 2023, the Benedictines and the Archdiocese announced that Father Morlino had been removed as pastor of Saint Benedict and that he had returned to his religious community in Pennsylvania. The removal was unrelated to any allegation of child sexual abuse.
Upon receiving the allegation late last week, the Archdiocese immediately reported it to law enforcement. Archdiocesan policy requires the Archdiocese to cooperate with any investigation by law enforcement and also to conduct an investigation. Pursuant to Archdiocesan policy, Father Morlino remains ineligible to serve in Catholic ministry in the Archdiocese.
After receiving permission to proceed from law enforcement authorities, the Archdiocese has now commenced an investigation. In accordance with Archdiocesan policy, counseling assistance is available to those affected by child sexual abuse.
The abuse allegedly occurred in or about 1993 while Father Morlino was serving as pastor at St. Benedict Church. This matter is in an early stage of investigation, and thus no determination of credibility has been made by the Archdiocese at this time. However, the Archdiocese is making this communication in order to solicit any relevant information as part of its investigation and in order to fulfill its commitment to open communication with affected communities.
Father Morlino denies the allegation.
Father Morlino served at St. Benedict Church from July 1984 to October 2023.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore is committed to protecting children and helping to heal victims of abuse. We urge anyone who has any knowledge of any child sexual abuse to contact law enforcement and if clergy or other church personnel is suspected of committing the abuse, we ask that you also call the Archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection at 1-866-417-7469. If you have any other information relevant to this matter, please contact the Archdiocese Office of Child and Youth Protection at 410-547-5348.
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