Archdiocese of Baltimore removes the faculties of an elderly priest; SNAP responds
The Archdiocese of Baltimore has removed the faculties of an 81-year-old Catholic priest following allegations of "sexual misconduct" with a minor. The Franciscan cleric has also been suspended from public ministry by his superiors in that order.
According to the Archdiocese, the allegations against Fr. Romuald Meogrossi were immediately reported to law enforcement. Since 2018 Fr. Meogrossi has been a priest in residence at St. Michael the Archangel Friary. The cleric worked at the Church of the Annunciation and St. Clement Mary Hofbauer. Fr. Meogrossi resided at the St. Casimir Friary in Baltimore from 2001 to 2018 and at the St. Joseph Cupertino Friary in Ellicott City from 1982-2001 and from 1973 to 1976. Over the years, the priest also worked at the Suburban Pastoral Counseling Center. In addition, Fr. Meogrossi was in residence and worked at Archbishop Curley High School from 1963 to 1964 and at then-Loyola College from 1995 to 1996.
Until several years ago, Fr. Meogrossi engaged in practice as a licensed clinical professional counselor. The accusation apparently stems from 2006 and occurred during therapy.
We encourage anyone who may have been a victim of Fr. Meogrossi to report their experience directly to civil authorities and to not contact the Church themselves, despite the recommendations of the Archdiocese in their press statement.
While we understand that this investigation is in the early stages, we know that it is best for any survivor of abuse to have help from those who will believe them. Consequently, we always encourage victims to contact law enforcement personally to report crimes and to reach out to SNAP for support. Our volunteer Maryland leader, David Lorenz, is available by email or phone.
CONTACT: Mike McDonnell, SNAP Communications Manager (267-261-0578, [email protected]), Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director (517-974-9009, [email protected]), David Lorenz, Maryland SNAP Leader (301-262-6517, Cell: 301-906-9161, [email protected])
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director
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