Report says former Youngstown bishop supported priest accused of child sex abuse
A former Catholic Diocese of Youngstown bishop was named in a report released Wednesday by Maryland’s Attorney General, which alleged that he took part in retaining a priest who eventually left the ministry over child sex abuse allegations.
The four-year-long investigation by Attorney General Anthony Brown talks about 156 current or former Catholic clergy, seminarians, deacons, members of Catholic religious orders, teachers at Catholic schools, and other employees of the Archdiocese.
They all face credible allegations of child sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore or went there after allegations at different locations.
Who is Father John Hammer?
Father John Hammer was named in the Maryland report.
He was also included in a 2018 report from the Diocese of Youngstown which listed 31 priests removed from their positions due to sexual abuse allegations.
Hammer reportedly served as associate pastor at the St. Louis Parish, in Louisville, Ohio, from 1979-1983, as well as St. Columba Cathedral and St. Aloysius in East Liverpool.
How was Bishop James Malone reportedly involved?
On November 20, 1986, Bishop James Malone of Youngstown wrote to Archbishop Borders seeking full-time employment for Hammer within the Archdiocese.
A 2002 suit from three former altar boys from Youngstown against the Dioceses of Youngstown and Saginaw in Michigan claimed the church knew about the allegations in 1978 and moved him around different churches.
Hammer was removed as a priest in 2006.
Malone passed away in 2000.
“The reference to the late Bishop James Malone, the third Bishop of Youngstown, and how the John Hammer case was dealt with then no doubt triggers a wide range of emotions,” current Youngstown Bishop David J. Bonnar said in a statement released Thursday. “As Bishop, I apologize for all hurt and harm to anyone who has been abused by a cleric. I want to assure the faithful but most especially victim survivors, that the Church responds to allegations of clergy sexual abuse immediately and much more effectively now than it did in generations past because of the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, independent review boards, background checks, safe environment coordinators, victims assistance coordinators, greater screening and scrutiny of priesthood candidates, clergy misconduct policies, and ongoing education and formation for everyone.
“Additionally, Pope Francis has revised Church law to ensure that nobody can be in ministry who is guilty of sexual abuse. Furthermore, bishops who are negligent in the handling of abuse cases will be held responsible. The Church continues her pursuit to end this evil and to help bring about healing for victim survivors.”
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This story was originally published April 6, 2023 at 1:53 PM.