BALTIMORE (MD)
Archdiocese of Baltimore MD
April 3, 2022
Father Martin Demek is Returned to Active Ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore
In early 2021, the Archdiocese of Baltimore received an allegation of child sexual abuse against Father Martin Demek that was immediately reported to law enforcement. Law enforcement did not file criminal charges against Father Demek and, in April of 2021, gave permission to the Archdiocese to investigate the allegation. Father Demek was then suspended from ministry pending the outcome of the investigation. The Archdiocese released a public statement concerning the allegation and the reason for Father Demek’s suspension and invited individuals with information to contact law enforcement and the Archdiocese.
During the investigation, additional information was received by the Archdiocese and shared with law enforcement. In accordance with the Archdiocese’s policies for the protection of children and youth, the Archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection, assisted by an investigative team including a former FBI agent, conducted a thorough and comprehensive investigation into all available information, including interviews with nearly 50 individuals.
The investigation concluded that the evidence does not substantiate that Father Demek engaged in child sexual abuse. The Archdiocese of Baltimore has determined that Father Demek remains suitable for ministry and the Archdiocese’s Office of Child and Youth Protection has recommended that, in light of the investigation, Father Demek be returned to active ministry. The complete information from the Archdiocese’s investigation was shared with the Archdiocese’s Independent Review Board, which agreed with the investigative conclusions and recommendations for Father Demek’s return to ministry.
The Independent Review Board is comprised of six lay people from diverse professional and religious backgrounds, one religious sister and one pastor. More information can be found at https://www.archbalt.org/child-and-youth-protection/.
After careful consideration of all available information and based on the recommendations of the Office of Child and Youth Protection, as endorsed by the Archdiocese’s Independent Review Board, the Archdiocese is immediately returning Father Demek to active ministry and to his position as pastor of Corpus Christi Church, effective the weekend of April 2, 2022.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore takes allegations of child sexual abuse very seriously and prioritizes protecting children and providing healing for victims of abuse. If you or anyone you know has information concerning child abuse by a priest, employee or volunteer of the Archdiocese, you are urged to contact the Archdiocese’s Office of Child and Youth Protection at (866) 417-7469, as well as law enforcement.
###
Media Contact
Christian Kendzierski
ck@archbalt.org
410-547-5378 (office)
917-882-1358 (cell)