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A former Catholic priest in Baltimore County has been indicted on 15 felony charges, including second-degree sex offense and child abuse, stemming from allegations that he abused a boy over multiple years while serving in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, The Baltimore Banner reported yesterday.
William Mannion Jr., 62, of Sparrows Point, turned himself in to police in late March and was formally indicted in Baltimore County Circuit Court on Monday. According to court documents, Mannion is accused of sexually abusing a boy at a Catonsville church complex between 1991 and 1995, while the child was in second through fourth grades.
Mannion, once known in the community as “Father Bill,” left the priesthood in the late 1990s and was formally laicized by the Vatican in 2004. The Archdiocese of Baltimore has stated his departure was “for reasons not related to abuse.” He is currently eligible for home detention through the Baltimore County jail.
According to church records, Mannion worked at St. Anthony of Padua from 1991 to 1994 and later served at St. Agnes Church from 1994 to 1998. Prosecutors say there is evidence he was involved with youth from other parishes before officially transferring to St. Agnes, including organizing activities and events that placed him in contact with children.
Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger said the timeline presented by the indictment is based on the victim’s disclosure and aligns with overlapping involvement at both churches. “He was familiar with St. Agnes prior to 1994 and requested to go there because all the other priests ‘were old’ and he would be the ‘new young priest’ that would connect with younger parishioners,” Shellenberger stated.
Mannion’s attorney said he is “aggressively investigating” the timeline, asserting that his client maintains his innocence.
No Circuit Court appearances have been scheduled yet.
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