Ex–Delaware Bishop Named in Sex Abuse Cover-Up Investigation

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BALTIMORE (ChurchMilitant.com) - According to a May 4 investigation by The Baltimore Sun, the retired bishop of Wilmington, Bp. William Francis Malooly, was named 127 times in a Maryland grand jury report.

The Sun alleges that Malooly is the person referred to as "Official C" in the redacted report. He is one of several high-profile churchmen discussed in the 465-page April 4 grand jury report. It revealed that over the course of decades, 156 clerics from the archdiocese of Baltimore had abused more than 600 children.

The news outlet maintains that it "reviewed thousands of pages of court records, decades of archdiocese directories, and dozens of contemporary newspaper articles to piece together details that helped reveal the men's identities."

The outlet also notes that it communicated with people who directly knew of the accused prelate's "conduct at the time."

Fr. Malooly in the Archdiocese of Baltimore

In 1984, then-Fr. Malooly was appointed director of clergy personnel for the archdiocese. According to the grand jury report, he covered up the crimes of clerical sex abuser Fr. William Simms, even helping him to craft a letter to his then parishioners, claiming he was taking "temporary sick leave because of stress."

Malooly also collaborated with Msgr. G. Michael Schleupner, who is referred to as "Official E" in the report and mentioned there more than 50 times. According to the report, they covered up for Fr. Thomas J. Bauernfeind, who admitted to fellow priests that he raped a 16-year-old girl.

Schleupner and Malooly did not report his crime to authorities, instead sending him away for four days of "psycho-theological evaluation" before moving him to another parish.

Malooly's complicity continued after he became chancellor and vicar general of the archdiocese in 1989 — effectively making him second in charge after then-Abp. Cdl. William Keeler.

He was consecrated auxiliary bishop in December 2000 and was plied with awards and accolades from archdiocesan organizations.

Bishop of Wilmington

In July 2008, he was appointed as the bishop of Wilmington, Deleware — Joe Biden's diocese when he resided in the state.

Malooly refused to condemn then-Vice President Biden when, in 2016, he officiated the "marriage" of a same-sex couple at his residence in Washington, D.C.

Biden tweeted, "Proud to marry Brian and Joe at my house. Couldn't be happier, two longtime White House staffers, two great guys."

Faithful Catholics demonstrated outside the official headquarters for the diocese of Wilmington, brandishing signs reading, "Bishop Malooly, you can save Joe Biden's soul" and "Joe Biden continues to defy Church teaching on abortion and marriage," among other things.

Malooly's only response was that Biden's actions were "disappointing."

He then reposted a statement by a few members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which minimized the scandal, not even naming Biden.

When a prominent Catholic politician publicly and voluntarily officiates at a ceremony to solemnize the relationship of two people of the same sex, confusion arises regarding Catholic teaching on marriage and the corresponding moral obligations of Catholics.

Malooly added, "I have spoken to and consulted with the leaders of our conference and completely concur with this statement."

And despite Biden's consistent doubling down on moral evil while still presenting himself as a faithful Catholic, Malooly still gave Biden Holy Communion.

Despite The Sun's accusations, Malooly has not given any comment.

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