April 19th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

WBAL reports the Archdiocese of Baltimore has suspended a Baltimore priest facing an allegation of sexual abuse involving a minor in Carroll County more than 30 years ago.

Father Martin H. Demek, pastor of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, denies the allegation and is cooperating with the investigation, according to the archdiocese.

The archdiocese received the allegation earlier this year and immediately passed the information to law enforcement. Carroll County sheriff's deputies this week gave the diocese clearance to begin its own investigation.

The alleged abuse dates to 1989, when the victim was around 11 years old. The incidents allegedly occurred at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Manchester.

Demek was ordained in 1975. He served as an associate pastor at Our Lady Queen of Peace, St. Thomas Aquinas and Shrine of the Little Flower before becoming paster of St. Bartholomew, where he served from 1987 to 1996. He then served in the same capacity at St. William of York before coming to Corpus Christi in 2010. In 1996, he also served as administrator at Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Anyone who suspects clergy or other church personnel of commuting child sexual abuse is asked to call the Archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection Victims’ Assistance Hotline at 1-866-417-7469. People with information relevant to the investigation are asked to call the Archdiocese Office of Child and Youth Protection at 410-547-5348.