Fr. Francis M. McGrath
Archdiocese of Baltimore
Ordained: 1978
Assignment History:
- 1972-1973: Gilman School (Baltimore, MD)
- 1973-1974: Our Lady of Good Counsel (Baltimore, MD)
- 1974-1976: Calvert Hall High School (Towson, MD)
- 1976-1977: St. Anthony of Padua (Baltimore, MD)
- 1979-1983: James Parish (Red Bank, NJ)
- 1983-1989: Anthony’s Parish (Trenton, NJ
- 1989-1995: Justin Parish (Tom’s River, NJ)
- 1995: Luke Institute
Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Fr. Francis McGrath:
Fr. McGrath is one of the 156 priests identified by the Maryland Attorney General as having been accused of sexually abusing minors during his tenure with the Archdiocese of Baltimore. According to the Attorney General’s report, a man reported in 1995 having been sexually abused by Fr. McGrath in 1970 or 1971.
According to the Attorney General’s report, a man reported in 2002 having been sexually abused by Fr. McGrath in 1975, when the victim was a freshman at Calvert Hall High School in Towson. According to the Attorney General’s report, a man reported in 2002 having been sexually abused by Fr. McGrath in 1966 and 1977 while the victim was a student at St. Anthony Middle School. Fr. McGrath, a seminarian at the time, was assigned to assist at the school and befriended the victim in 1976 when the victim was beginning 8th grade. Fr. McGrath repeatedly sexually abused the victim at St. Anthony’s School, St. Mary’s Seminary, Fr. McGrath’s car, and in New Jersey. Fr. McGrath ceased sexually abusing the victim in 1977 but befriended the victim’s family in order to manipulate the victim into not reporting the abuse.
According to the Attorney General’s report, a man reported in 2002 having been sexually abused by Fr. McGrath in the 1970s when the victim was 13 years old. The victim lived in New Jersey, and Fr. McGrath was a friend of the victim’s family. When the victim was 13 years old, Fr. McGrath invited the victim to visit him in Baltimore at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Baltimore. The victim stayed at the rectory in McGrath’s bedroom, where Fr. McGrath sexually abused the victim.
According to the Attorney General’s report, a man reported in 2013 that he had been sexually abused by Fr. McGrath in 1974 when the victim was 15 years old. The victim lived across the street from Our Lady of Good Counsel, and Seminarians and priests often visited his home. The victim’s father was a widower and struggled to raise eight children. Fr. McGrath befriended the victim, took him to the movies, and gave him gifts. Fr. McGrath then sexually abused the victim at the victim’s home under the guise of giving the victim a massage. Fr. McGrath sexually abused the victim approximately five more times, including at St. Mary’s Seminary. The victim entered a settlement with the Archdiocese.
According to the Attorney General’s report, a man reported in 2020 having been sexually abused by Fr. McGrath in 1982 and 1983 while the victim was a student at Red Bank Catholic High School in New Jersey.
According to the Attorney General’s report, a man reported in 2020 that he had been sexually abused by Fr. McGrath in 1983 when the victim was 17 years old. Fr. McGrath sexually abused the victim on at least four occasions inside his bedroom in the rectory at St. Anthony’s in Trenton.
According to the Attorney General’s report, a man reported in 2020 having been sexually abused by Fr. McGrath when he was 11 years old. The victim was an altar boy in New Jersey. Fr. McGrath sexually abused the victim repeatedly in his car, the rectory, and the sacristy of the church.
According to media reports, Fr. McGrath was removed from active priesthood in 1995. Fr. McGrath’s name appears on the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s list of priests credibly accused of sexual misconduct with a minor.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of Baltimore in Maryland. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Maryland, contact our office today. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse nationwide. We can help. Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.