Father Francis Ernst was ordained on June 23, 1957. In November 2011, a survivor reported that Ernst sexually abused a former classmate in the rectory of the St. Augustine Church when they were twelve to fourteen years old. The abuse consisted of rape and oral rape. It was noted that Ernst often visited St. Augustine Church following his retirement. In September 2022, the Office of the Attorney General interviewed a survivor’s family member, confirming the abuse and noting that it would often happen during choir or altar boy practices. Ernst is also believed to have kept a book of pictures of naked boys. Ernst died on April 17, 2004.
| Date | Position (If Available) | Church/Organization | Location |
| 1955-1958 | Teacher | St. Joseph’s Preparatory School | Philadelphia, PA |
| 1959-1971 | Theology Teacher | St. Joseph’s University | Philadelphia, PA |
| 1971-1974 | Associate Pastor | St. Jane Frances de Canthal | Riviera Beach, MD |
| 1974-1976 | Minister | Loyola College | Baltimore, MD |
| 1974-1976 | Weekend Staff | Most Precious Blood | Baltimore, MD |
| 1976-1993 | — | Our Lady of Victory | Arbutus, MD |
| 1993-1996 | Pastor | Good Shepherd | Lebanon, VA |
| 1996-1998 | Associate Pastor | St. Ignatius | Baltimore, MD |
| 1998-2004 | Associate Pastor | St. Augustine | Elkridge, MD |
| 1998-2004 | Associate Pastor | St. Mark’s | Catonsville, MD |
| 1998-2004 | Associate Pastor | St. Clement’s | Lansdowne, MD |
