Being dropped off at the St. Clement rectory. 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. By May 1995, neither the citys criminal investigation of sexual abuselimited by the narrower laws of 1970nor the countrys investigation into the murder of Sister Cesnik had brought any indictments against Maskell. He denied ever abusing anybody, and, according to a family member, even offered to take a lie detector test. At Keough, Maskell was known by at least two contradictory personae. The report implicates 158 priests. Her face has changed since high school: Her features are sharper, her gaze more penetrating. According to the Baltimore Sun, Maskell denied the accusations until his death in 2001. Try again later. He prostituted me. Was someone making her do things she didnt want to? As far as the authors are concerned, this power play endures. 0 cemeteries found in Randallstown, Baltimore County, Maryland, USA. The field where she lay was four and a half miles from her apartment, but not far from Maskells former parish, St. Clement, in Lansdowne. SCOTT MAUCIONE, BYLINE: Jean Hargedon Wehner was just a teenager when Father Joseph Maskell allegedly abused her at a Baltimore high school in the Were you told that you couldnt sue for your abuse because it had happened such a long time ago? the lawyer asked in a series of questions. But, what happened to Father Neil Magnus? Her parents were upset at finding drug paraphernaIia in her purse, and Tracy hoped the priest would talk with them. As sexual orientations, they are not curable, only containable, usually through a combination of drug and talk therapies as well as eternal vigilance. Sipe has interviewed or reviewed the histories of more than 2,000 Catholic priests. Try again later. "She confronted him and she lost her life for it," says Teresa Lancaster. Efforts by Baltimore magazine to speak with Woy and the other church administrators have all been referred to diocesan spokesman Blaul, who generally refrains from comment in matters of ongoing litigation. MAUCIONE: Often, it takes years for people to come to terms with their abuse. Lancaster claims that he said, "I'm sorry, but I can't help you. When a girl he knew in high school told him he had the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen, he had no idea how to respond. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. She alleges Maskell once forced her to have sex with a uniformed police officer and at least once to have sex with someone who gave the priest money. She remembered pain and bleeding. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. students and teachers at Baltimores Archbishop Keough High School in the 1960s. Sister Cathy Cesnik, who was murdered in 1969, was featured in the docu-series "The Keepers," released in May. Since The Keepers release, more than 40,000 people have signed a petition asking the Archdiocese to release documents regarding Maskells alleged abuse. He changed the subject, but after he lapsed into a description of sights hed seen on lovers lane, Ann says she asked to be taken home. A group of Towson lawyers claims that, in addition to their two plaintiffs, theyve met with 15 people who say Maskell subjected them to one or more sexual violations. Failed to delete flower. Now lets talk about it. But it doesnt, says Sipe, who believes that celibacywhen followed out of a well-examined, internal commitmentis noble, but that it is ill-suited to institutional obligation. After continued allegations, he was removed from priestly ministry in Baltimore in 1994. After hearing his invitation to light up, theyd smoke until they got dizzy, spinning their tales of parental misunderstanding, or boyfriend problems, as the priest would nod appreciatively and take notes. The sex abuse allegations against Maskell first came to light in the '90s one victim, Jean Hargadon Wehner, reported her abuse allegations to the Baltimore Archdiocese in 1992. His disappearance from Baltimore was cloaked in secrecy; even fellow priests were denied details. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. No matter what I said to him, he said, I understand, dear. Then, it appeared to her: wooden, perhaps 12 inches long, an inch and a half thick, with a metal figure attached to it. WebJoseph Francis Maskell, an office-furniture salesman with Lucas Brothers, was known for his short fuse. In 1994, police dug up records that Maskell had ordered buried in Holy Cross Cemetery years earlier. The Latest Assault Victim Since 'The Keepers' Comes Forward As she tried to figure out what the object might have been, her breathing became heavy and panicked. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Often the object of abuse in their own childhoods, abusers with narcissistic personality disorder are extremely difficult cases, because they are unable to see their own actions from anothers point of view. Maskell chaplained for the Baltimore County Police, the Maryland State Police and the Maryland National Guard. According to Huffington Post's 2015 feature on Cesnik's murder, Maskell was the chaplain of Archbishop Keough High School at the time when 26-year-old Cesnik taught English and drama there. Sexual abuse by priests has rooted like a cancer within the body of the American Catholic Church, eluding most public detection until the early 80s. MAUCIONE: David Lorenz, the Maryland director for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, says the reports are a way for victims to grieve and to hold the church accountable. He cant function as a priest around here anymore.. 13 Apr 1939. The priest then massaged her breasts and asked if her boyfriend touched her similarly, she claims. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. One afternoon when the school baseball team was changing into new uniform pants, Maskell told Bill that he needed a jockstrap to play. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Its not unreasonable to interpret Evas dreams as tapping into repressed memories of her experiences with Maskell, says Ellis. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. The statute of limitations had expired, and the lawsuit was thrown out. Baltimore County Police revealed only to WJZ that they've dug up the body of a powerful priest, Father Joseph Maskell, to get his DNA. Please reset your password. Youll never understand the hurt, the pain, the anxiety, the loss of self-esteem thats happened for most of my life, she shouted at Woy. JENNIFER WORTHAM: We need significant reform, and we can have uniform federal laws to protect children everywhere, because what applies to the Catholic Church also applies to other not-for-profit organizations. Woy was quiet and a bit awkward as Dame took furious notes. A system error has occurred. WILLIAM LORI: I extend once again my deepest apologies for the abuse suffered upon them by clergy and others whose sinful and criminal acts so badly damaged them. In addition to the allegations against Father Joseph Maskell, several of the women interviewed in "The Keepers" also say they were abused by a local gynecologist, Dr. Christian Richter. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. In total, the church has paid out $472,000 in settlements to 16 of Maskells alleged victims, according to the Baltimore Sun. Their abuse was horribly tragic and the Archdiocese remains deeply saddened and regretful that someone representing the Church could have perpetrated such crimes against children, the statement read. However, Cruzs memories about her grandfather were very accessible, Ellis says, and yet there was always something else that was bothering her that she could never get to.. June 6, 2017 / 9:46 AM This is a carousel with slides. He was the chaplain for the Baltimore County police, the Maryland State Police, and the Maryland National Guard, according to HuffPost. She didnt quite believe the priest, but she didnt want to disbelieve him. Meanwhile, doctors at the Connecticut psychiatric facility, the Institute of Living, conducted a nearly six-month course of evaluation, after which the archdiocese determined Maskell was able to return to ministry, says Blaul. We have set your language to Update 12/4/17: The source known as Jennifer in this story is Jean Hargadon Wehner, featured in the Netflix documentary The Keepers. I had no clue that my memories going back that other girls in my class had been going through the suffering they did too. Maskell also worked as a psychologist in private practice in Wexford and nearby Castlebridge from 1995 to 1998. Since the previous group meeting in Elliss office, Cruz concluded that it had been on Maskells instruction that she would ask Jesus to have sex with her. One of the victims claimed that she had a recovered memory of his involvement in her death, but he was interviewed and never charged." MAUCIONE: The archdiocese declined to be interviewed for this story, but Baltimore Archbishop William Lori acknowledged its role in the sexual abuse of children in a YouTube video. At the urging of a priest friend, she arranged to meet with archdiocesan officials in her therapists Columbia office in October 1994. Like many of Maskells victims, Mrozs memory wasnt fully in tact, and she had other reasons for not speaking up sooner one of which was her family. Weve updated the security on the site. The show delves into the decades-old cold case of the young nun who vanished in late 1969 and was found dead two months later. According to the Baltimore Sun, Maskell denied the accusations until his death in 2001. They gave the Church one month to come up with a serious monetary offer, or they would file the civil suit. We feel shame and regret for anyone victimized and offer them our sincere prayers and support. In August 1994, with Maskell back at the Connecticut facility, the archdiocese waited out the attorneys. Then, in the spring of 1992, a series of new images convinced her shed been sexually abused by others, as well. HARGEDON WEHNER: It's going to validate survivors to their families and to those loved ones that didn't necessarily know how to believe such a horrible thing. Although the Church demands celibacy of its priests, it does little to prepare them for the rigors of that life, says Lutherville psychotherapist Richard Sipe, one of the nations foremost experts on the subject. Tracy regarded the attorney coolly. Maskell died in 2001, and until his death, he had denied the allegations. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? While Father Joseph Maskell is the priest who is discussed the most in The Keepers, there were many others accused of sexual abuse at Keough High School. During the 10-minute break that followed, Sun reporter Robert Erlandson buttonholed Dantes in the back of the courtroom. Father Richard Woy and attorney Thomas Dame represented the archdiocese. At the pronouncement, courtroom 201 became very still. Maskells police credentials made their greatest contribution on January 4, 1987the night of the Chase Amtrak crash that killed 16 people. What was on trial now was memory itself. One especially perilous aspect of the vocation, according to Richard Sipe, is confession. Netflix's newest original docuseries, The Keepers, focuses on the brutal and mysterious murder of a young nun who taught at a Catholic high school in Baltimore. Was it someone that Cesnik knew? As they drove along the Beltway, she asked him where the other kids were and was told they couldnt make it. But it was an episode Jennifer says she recalled in January 1993 that alerted Baltimore County police. [Church leaders] frequented in my household. And he said, Come sit on my lap. I sat on his lap, and he rocked me back and forth until I started getting weird feelings. Says Hawkins of Maskells plight: Youd be surprised how your phone stops ringing. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. At the time of Cesnik's disappearance and death, Maskell had an enormous amount of pull in the heavily-Catholic city. when 26-year-old Cesnik taught English and drama, were never recorded as evidence and "inexplicably vanished", announced that they'd exhumed the priest's grave, Maskell's DNA did not match crime scene evidence. The church community is portrayed as insular, with its members and leaders interwoven into one anothers lives and families. At home, Bill told his mother (since deceased) that Maskell had threatened him. Joseph Maskell. He died in 2001. At the same time that you remember these eight or nine people, you began to have the recollection of Father Maskell., Then there was a Brother [Ron*]. Bracing himself, Maskell settled his large six foot frame into a chair facing the others. One Finksburg woman, a friend of Jennifers who had abandoned Catholicism over the Maskell case, wrote bluntly to Cardinal Keeler: Through a technicality in the law, this archdiocese has succeeded in avoiding any responsibility to the victims of Joseph MaskellMay Gods justice be visited upon you.. Babe Nelson brought up the time when Eva, at age 12, had collapsed at school. The results came back on May 17 and revealed that Maskell's DNA did not match crime scene evidence, according to The Washington Post. Jean Wehner, who told police in '94 that priest had shown her Sr. Cesnik's body, plays central role in new series. One occasion he just spanked me., OK. They scheduled one for June 2. [My parents] considered them our counselors and everything else. Any daily atrocities were reinterpreted as part of the larger, supposedly higher, mission of cleansing and healing Europe. Now a 38-year-old mother of two, the Baltimore woman had only recently remembered these alleged abuses, and contacted the archdiocese in late June in search of an apology and some spiritual help. Born in 1939 and raised in Northeast Baltimore near Clifton Park, his favorite childhood game was Mass. In child-sized vestments his mother had sewn for him, Joe would gather neighborhood children into the familys basement, where he would dispense the body of Christ in the form of white Necco wafers. Failed to delete memorial. It would have been helpful.. Within the past decade, more than 12 area priests have been publicly implicated in the sexual abuse of minors. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. By early 1993, Jennifer had resumed her quest against Maskell through Towson lawyer Phil Dantes, who enlisted a colleague familiar with Keough to see if there was enough support for Jennifers claims to justify an investigation. The Keepers theorized that Cesnik may have discovered Maskells assaults and been killed to prevent that information from getting out. People who you knew, all of a sudden theyre not talking to you. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. You may request to transfer up to 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave. (Toward that end, he says, todays seminarians undergo criminal background checks and a battery of tests designed to ferret out character flaws, though no test is completely reliable for detecting a predisposition to sexual abuse.). During cross-examination, the attorney for her high school gynecologist portrayed Tracy as an opportunist with a history of drug use. Immediately after hearing this little voice, she says, she would briefly pass out. As one alleged survivor pointed out in a recent confrontation with the archdiocese: Gods not happy about that., As the Maskell case approaches winter unresolved, the beleaguered priest remains largely invisible. Dont worry, the rector replied. Follow @CBSBaltimore on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook, First published on June 6, 2017 / 9:46 AM. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. For a brief moment, shortly after his exile to Connecticut, it looked like Fr. Please enter valid email address to continue. By 1994, Maskell no longer worked at the high school and was the pastor of Holy Cross Church in Baltimore. Distressed at the memory, Jennifer examined her 1971 Keough yearbook and recognized the face of the priest she remembered in the confessional. This represents significantly higher rates, he believes, than among clergy of non-celibate denominations. WebAccording to media reports, the police investigated the charges and interviewed Maskell. She ran around her yard. Once ordained, Maskell was known for delivering thoughtful homilies with a compelling bass voice, and for excelling in the heroic moment. MAUCIONE: Maryland's grand jury probe is one of a handful of recent state investigations into the Catholic Church. The following January, hunters found her bodybludgeoned to death and partly consumed by animals, her clothes in such disarray as to suggest sexual foul play. GREAT NEWS! There was an error deleting this problem. cemeteries found in Randallstown, Baltimore County, Maryland, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Following the release of the Netflix series, "The Keepers," which documents allegations of widespread sex abuse by a Baltimore priest, his time in Ireland is being investigated. They got right to the point: A former student of Archbishop Keough High School, where Maskell had served between 1967 and 1975, was accusing him of having sexually abused her some 20 years earlier. A tabloid TV show was rumored to be interested in the story. Maskell died in 2001, but just prior to the premiere, the Baltimore County police department announced that they'd exhumed the priest's grave to compare his Bill graduated on time, and within three months Maskell, though continuing to reside and perform some duties at St. Clement, was assigned to Archbishop Keough High School for girls. She avoided his office from then on by walking up an extra flight of stairs. In heavily Catholic Central Maryland, these are no academic questions. Search above to list available cemeteries. Over the next few days, Eva Cruz became consumed with the sound of water slapping against the hull of a boat and the idea that something had happened between her and Maskell. The late Father Joseph Maskell, one of the accused priests, is an important character in the Netflix series, leading many to wonder: how did Father Maskell Die? One anonymous former detective on the case reported that the boxes had contained psychological evaluations of the students Maskell counseled at the school allegedly, the priest preyed upon the most "troubled" students under his care and even nude photos of underage victims. Timonium, Baltimore County, Maryland, USA. The next morning, Tracy called Beverly Wallace and asked for the name of a therapist. In the churchs eyes, her credibility diminished with each new allegation. Further preventing her from coming forward with her experience were issues of embarrassment and family dynamics, during a time when she said growing up, parents and children did not discuss personal subjects like sex. She claims that one day during ninth grade, Maskell summoned her to his office to mention that her reading aptitude was below par. In fact, female sexuality is the scapegoat for a lot of earthly misery, from Adams fall on, acknowledges Catholic Universitys Fr. That was her last confession for 20 years. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. But with charges mounting nationally that the Catholic church lacked the fortitude to police its own ranks, the pressure was on for a show of self-prosecution. Other alleged memories involve a brother from Cardinal Gibbons, anal intercourse and coerced enemas. His mother, Helen Maskell, was very keen on her son becoming a priest, recalls childhood friend Bill Heim. Research assistance provided by Baltimore intern Wil Hylton. I dont think Father Maskells connected to her death in any way., The newspaper ad mailed to Keough alumnae arrived at the Howard County home of Tracy* in the fall of 1993. Jennifer emotionally told them they should take the responsibility off of her and do something. Six survivors described being systematically molested, drugged, and raped within school walls by multiple members of the clergy in Netflixs docu-series The Keepers, but additional victims have come forward since its release. For NPR News, I'm Scott Maucione in Baltimore. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Joseph Maskell was summoned downtown to Baltimores archdiocesan headquarters. A crucifix, she announced. When the doctor prescribed a thrice-weekly douche, Maskell offered the private bathroom adjoining his office for that purpose. He said that I wouldnt have gotten into Keough unless hed pulled strings. Failed to report flower. As a Catholic, however, Maskell had long ago forsaken any such comfort. But even the things she says shes always remembered were bad enough that, for part of her adult life, she kept track of Maskells whereabouts with the thought of killing him. The Subject Of Netflix's 'The Nurse' Denies Her Attempted Murder Convictions, Allan Gore Reportedly Lives A Quiet Life Decades After The Events Of 'Love & Death', The True Story Of Candy Montgomery From HBO Max's True Crime Series, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Once you get ordained, it all falls into place.. He brings up some of her dreams from the 1980s: a soldier shoots a nun and then rapes her while Eva watches numbly; Eva skates through a cathedral and is taken aside and raped. Over a three-year period, she says, she and Maskell had vaginal intercourse four times, including once during which he called her a whore. At 14, Maskell went off to St. Charles Seminary in Catonsville, but returned after about a week because he was homesick. Certainly many cases of sexual abuse by priests are committed by certifiable pedophiles acting out an unchecked craving. Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland, USA. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. She is now taking steps toward reaching a resolution with the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and, she hopes, peace with the questions that remain. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Cesnik, however, met a different fate, and was found murdered in 1969. But when Jennifer returned in the fall, Cesnik had changed jobs. Jennifer also claims Maskell once put a gun in her mouth. At 14, Maskell went off to St. Charles Seminary in Catonsville, but returned She had been having additional revelations about Maskell. While much of the abuse allegations revolve around Maskell, Magnus is mentioned in a couple of horrifying allegations himself. She was crying when her friend Lisa* brought her to Maskells office, she says, adding that the priest then led Lisa out the door and locked it. The crisis contains disturbing truths about the power of human denial. There was no dumpster in the field where Cesniks body was found, for example, says Price. Was he on more than once occasion?, You also mentioned Brother [Fred*]? But he faced the multi-million-dollar civil suit filed in city circuit court. Paul Mandelbaum is a former Baltimore senior writer and a contributor to The New York Times. It was chilling, Mroz told Oxygen.com, recounting her allegations that she was one of the victims of school counselor and chaplain Father A. Joseph Maskell, but not to the extent of some of the other students. She cried. Hawkins took Maskell in for several weeks last year, and got scolded by the archdiocese for doing so. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. In the 1990s, Jean Wehner came forward and alleged that Father Maskell had sexually abused her and allowed other men to do the same. Remembering the second time that Maskell had taken her to the gynecologists office in 1970, she suddenly came to believe she had been raped by both men, she says. [Jennifer], is it the priests? Jennifer indicated that it was. He pulled his chair around to the front of his desk and allegedly removed her clothing, piece by piece, until she was completely naked, she says. The archdiocese, says this family source, countered with more restrictive choices: Either check in to a Connecticut psychiatric facility, or step down from the pulpit. Beverly Wallace frowned openly. But he never did., When young Joe was old enough to join in sandlot baseball games, he would dress in black and take his position of choice behind the plate, calling the balls and strikes. Are other people remembering things like this? she asked the attorney. Wehner says this action was her final personal interaction with the Archdiocese of Baltimore. She claims the two priests instructed her to perform oral sex on them because the Holy Spirit was coming through them.It was like the Eucharist. She saw Maskell for counseling sessions during which he was praying that I would stop being bad.. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Collins. The silver-haired lawyer went on to list six additional male abusers, including the city politician who Jennifer claimed had given a pretend political speech while she was required to perform oral sex on him. Maskell was one of those priests, and Hargedon Wehner says at one point during her alleged repeated abuses, he emptied the bullets from a gun and held it to her head. The late Father Joseph Maskell, one of the accused priests, is an important character in the Netflix series, leading many to wonder: how did Father Maskell Die? To this day, Mroz has not returned to Baltimore. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Yeah, her daughter said numbly as she drove.