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Who Was Brother Cuthbert (Joseph A. Thibault)?
Brother Cuthbert (also known as Joseph A. Thibault) became a member of the Xaverian Brothers in 1933. The Xaverians are a Roman Catholic institute dedicated to providing education to children. His assignments as a clergy member within this brotherhood put Cuthbert into contact with thousands of students over the next four decades.
The 2023 Maryland Attorney General’s Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore outlines at least two allegations of sexual assault leveled at Brother Cuthbert by former students.
The first victim was a student at Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore, Maryland. He claims Cuthbert molested him when he was a senior at the school in 1961 or 1962. The student reported the assault to the principal when it occurred, but no disciplinary action was ever taken. However, the principal appears to have mentioned the student’s report to Brother Cuthbert. The AG’s report notes that Cuthbert confronted the victim not long after and asked him why he told the principal about the incident.
The victim made a second report to the Archdiocese in 2007, and officials made mandatory notifications to the Xaverians and the authorities.
In 2005, a multi-plaintiff civil suit was brought against several sexually abusive priests who had taught at Mission High School in Boston, Massachusetts. Brother Cuthbert and the Xaverians were named as defendants in this lawsuit. Plaintiff John Doe No. 68 claimed that Cuthbert abused him during the years 1956-1957, although no further details are provided in public documents. Most claims included in this lawsuit reached a settlement. Thibault was listed as credibly accused by both the Xaverian Brothers and the Archdiocese in 2019.
If Brother Cuthbert sexually abused you or a family member while you were a child, our experienced religious institution sexual abuse lawyers at Andreozzi + Foote can evaluate your case and determine your legal options for pursuing compensation. Although these incidents occurred long ago, we know they can leave deep, lasting scars. We believe all survivors of clergy abuse deserve to have their stories told and their suffering acknowledged. Contact our law firm today for a free, confidential case evaluation to learn how we can assist you.
What Are Brother Cuthbert’s Known Assignments?
Brother Cuthbert served as a clergy member and teacher at several schools and locations throughout New England from the 1930s until his death in 1971, including:
- St. John’s Prep, Danvers, Connecticut (1937-45)
- St. Michael’s, Brooklyn, New York (1946-48)
- Holy Cross, Brooklyn, New York (1949-54)
- Mission High School, Boston, Massachusetts (1955-57)
- Mount St. Joseph High School, Baltimore, Maryland (1958-62)
- Notre Dame, Utica, New York (1963-64)
- Xavier High School, Middletown, Maryland (1965-68)
- Xaverian Brothers High School, Westwood, Maryland (1969-71)
What Damage Can Be Caused by Childhood Sexual Abuse Perpetrated by a Priest or Other Member of the Clergy?
The long-term impacts of childhood sexual abuse by trusted individuals within a faith-based institution can be profound and multifaceted, affecting various aspects of an individual’s life. The psychological effects can manifest shortly after the abuse or may appear many years later. Molestation at a young age is linked to a range of severe mental health issues, including:
- Depression and anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
- Sleep disorders
- Low self-esteem and trust issues
- Body dysmorphia and eating disorders
- Increased risk of substance abuse and unsafe sexual behaviors
- Higher possibility of self-harm or suicide attempts.
- Fear of intimacy
- Instability in romantic and family relationships
- Feelings of isolation from peers, society, and/or spiritual practice
The unique position of trust and authority held by clergy members can intensify the emotional distress and trauma suffered by survivors, leading to significant challenges in seeking justice and recovery. It is essential for survivors to receive appropriate support and resources to address the complex and enduring effects of childhood clergy abuse. Although the abuse was never the fault of the survivor, many victims have intense feelings of shame linked to the molestation. It takes courage to speak up about what occurred when the abuser is in a position of power. Sadly, the AG’s report shows that some victims of clergy abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore even experienced efforts to actively discredit or blame them for the assaults upon reporting.
What is the Current Statute of Limitations on Clergy Abuse Claims?
Many child victims of abusive clergy members, such as Brother Cuthbert, have faced significant difficulties when seeking justice. Survivors of religious institution abuse may be adults before they can speak about the molestation they experienced during their youth. As seen above with Cuthbert’s victims, even those who reported incidents when they happened often ran into Church and school officials who preferred to ignore or cover up the problem. These inexcusably negligent actions allowed abusers to continue harming children, sometimes for decades.
Strict enforcement of the statute of limitations by many states has previously prevented many survivors of childhood sexual abuse from filing civil suits as adults. However, more states are beginning to rectify this situation by amending their laws to provide a temporary filing window for victims who were previously ineligible to make a claim due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.
In 2023, Maryland passed a law that eliminated the state’s statute of limitations on child sexual abuse claims.
Even though Brother Cuthbert has long since passed away, the new Maryland law opens the door for his victims to hold the institutions and organizations liable that failed to protect them as children many decades ago. Other states have also passed or are considering similar legislation. However, the filing windows may only be temporary, so prompt action is often crucial. To learn more about the legal avenues available in your jurisdiction, contact the knowledgeable lawyers at Andreozzi + Foote today: 866-311-8640.
