Fr. A. Joseph Maskell

Parish priest; Keough High School chaplain and counselor; police chaplain. Per a 1994 lawsuit, Maskell abused and raped girls at Keough in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Fellow Keough teacher and counselor Fr. Neil Magnus, is also reported to have abused and raped Keough girls, at times with Maskell. Both priests were implicated in the 1969 murder of Sr. Catherine Cesnik. A student said she told Sr. Cathy of abuse by Maskell; Sr. Cathy soon went missing, and was later found murdered. The former student said in 1994 that Maskell drove her to a remote area and showed her the body. The Archdiocese settled with her in 1/2017. Another former student said two police officers sexually abused her while Maskell looked on. He is said to have drugged victims and shown a gun. Some victims said he gave them vaginal exams or enemas, in his office or at a gynecologist’s office with other men present. Placed on leave in 1992 after an allegation, sent to treatment; reinstated 1993-1994. Removed again in 1994 after new allegations. Fled to Ireland; worked as a psychologist, including with children. Name included on the Archdiocese’s list in 9/2002. By 5/2017 the Archdiocese paid $472K to 16 people with allegations against Maskell. One man said Maskell sexually abused him as an 8th grade altar boy and his mother told the archdiocese in 5/1967; Maskell was then moved to Keough. An Irish accuser surfaced in 5/2017. HSE was investigating in 6/2017. Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General’s Report. It shows the Archdiocese knew of concerns about Maskell’s behavior toward children as early as 1966. By 2023, at least 39 people, men and women, had reported they or others were abused as children by Maskell. Most of the reported abuse was by former Keough students. One woman said she was abused as a preschooler. Maskell also was said to have sexually harrassed and assaulted adult women. He died in 2001.