Smith, Thomas (Fr.)

Father Thomas Smith was ordained on May 27, 1950. In 1988, Smith admitted to the Archdiocese that he had sexually abused multiple young boys in the 1960s. The Archdiocese did not report the abuse or take disciplinary action. In 1993, a survivor came forward detailing Smith’s abuse. Smith subsequently committed suicide. Despite records indicating the church was well aware of allegations against Smith, an article in the Baltimore Sun wrote “At the time of the suicide, Bishop William C. Newman, Father Smith’s supervisor, told a reporter there were no allegations of sexual impropriety or other wrongdoing against Father Smith.”

After his death, dozens of survivors came forward with reports of Smith’s abuse. At the time of the Maryland Attorney General’s report, forty victims were identified between the ages of six and sixteen. The abuse ranged from fondling to oral and anal rape and occurred at various locations, including church outings and trips.