St. Peter’s Church, Olney, Maryland by Smallbones, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
For decades, St. Peter’s Catholic School and St. Peter Catholic Church in Olney, Maryland—trusted institutions in the local Catholic community—have served families across the region.
But a newly filed lawsuit alleges that a former parish priest betrayed the trust placed in him by the community.
Lawsuit Filed in Prince George’s County Circuit Court
On April 29, 2024, Andreozzi + Foote filed a civil lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, Maryland, on behalf of a survivor who alleges abuse by Cahill while he was assigned to St. Peter’s Catholic School and St. Peter’s Parish, under the authority of the Archdiocese of Washington.
Abuse of Trust and Institutional Failures
The complaint asserts that the school, church, and archdiocese all failed to protect children from the known risk of clergy sexual abuse. They failed to properly screen, monitor, or remove priests who posed a risk to children. The suit claims they didn’t have strong safety policies in place, didn’t keep a close enough eye on clergy, and ignored warning signs.
Fr. Cahill used his position within St. Peter’s Parish to gain access to and sexually abuse the victim—who, along with his family, implicitly trusted Cahill because of his role in these institutions.
Fr. Cahill Previously Named in Confidential Church Records
Cahill, ordained in 1947 and deceased since 1991, served in both the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Archdiocese of Washington. His name appears in a 1994 internal church memo listing priests accused of sexual misconduct with minors, a document later made public in 2012 after Cardinal Bevilacqua allegedly ordered it destroyed (Catholics4Change, Bishop Accountability).
Legal Action Under Maryland’s Child Victims Act
This case was filed under Maryland’s Child Victims Act (CVA), which allows survivors to pursue justice regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse. However, damages will be capped for claims filed after June 1, 2025, following recent legislative changes.
Supporting Survivors of Clergy Abuse
If you or a loved one was sexually abused by Fr. Raymond Cahill—or another member of the clergy—you are not alone. Andreozzi + Foote represents survivors of clergy sexual abuse and is committed to helping you understand your rights and options.
Our team offers free, confidential consultations and approaches every case with compassion and care.
The path to justice begins with being heard. We’re here to help you take the next step—on your terms.
