Brett, Laurence (Fr.)

Between 1964 and 1993, Father Laurence Brett was involved in multiple incidents of sexual abuse. In 1964, a teenage boy reported that Brett sexually abused him at Sacred Heart University. The Diocese of Bridgeport confronted Brett, and he admitted to the abuse. He was sent out of state for treatment but continued to receive financial support from the diocese. In 1965, another boy reported being sexually abused by Brett in Sacramento, leading to his relocation to another diocese. In 1966, a teenage boy in Connecticut accused Brett of making a sexual pass at him.

In 1973, four boys reported that Brett sexually abused them at Calvert Hall High School in Maryland. The abuse included showing pornography to the boys and rape. The school did not report the abuse to authorities or support the victims. Brett resigned from Calvert Hall, citing personal reasons and commitments elsewhere. In subsequent years, additional reports of abuse emerged, including incidents in New Mexico and California. In 1992, a man reported that Brett sexually abused him in 1961 and 1962 at St. Cecilia’s school and other locations, including St. Mary’s seminary in Baltimore. He filed a lawsuit in 1993 against the Diocese of Bridgeport and was awarded a large settlement.

Despite allegations and abuse admissions, Brett continued to serve as a priest and received support from various dioceses. It wasn’t until 1993 that the Diocese of Bridgeport suspended Brett’s faculties and notified the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Brett disappeared in 1993 and was not located until 2002. He died in December 2010.