MD - Priest, accused of abuse in Baltimore, gets “off the hook"

For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790[email protected])


A credibly accused predator priest who spent time at three institutions in Baltimore and is accused of molesting in Maryland got “off the hook” yesterday when a court ruling ended a lawsuit against him and his church supervisors.

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/11/12/news/augusta/supreme-court-rules-against-augusta-man-in-his-suit-against-diocese-over-priest-abuse/

Fr. Raymond P. Melville worked at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Locust Point (1980 to 1984), the University of Maryland Hospital (1982 to 1983), and attended the University of Baltimore and St. Mary's Seminary (1979 to 1985). Fr. Melville’s been accused of abusing while at the seminary (as well as in Maine).

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/resources/resource-files/databases/BaltimorePriests.htm

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_08_21_Rivera_ArchdioceseLists_Mark_Haight_5.htm

He spent much of his clerical career in Maine. Yesterday, the Maine Supreme Court ruled that a civil suit charging that the Maine Catholic hierarchy should have disclosed Fr. Melville’s crimes should be tossed out.

It’s heart-breaking every time a clergy sex abuse victim is denied his or her day in court. It’s disturbing every time a Catholic official seeks to keep clergy sex crimes hidden by exploiting legal loopholes. And it’s especially disturbing when those Catholic officials succeed.

We hope anyone who saw suspected or suffered Fr. Melville’s crimes – in Maryland or Maine – will find the courage to call police, expose wrongdoing, protect kids, deter cover ups and start healing.

The Maine attorney who represents Fr. Melville’s victim is Sumner Lipman of Augusta.

Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747,[email protected])


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