Fr. Brian M. Cox

Order: SSJ
Ordained: 1968
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Baltimore MD

Ordained for the Josephites in 1968. Joined the Baltimore archdiocese in 1981. Parish priest; chaplain 1975-1978 at Archbishop Keough High School. Admitted in 1994 to a church secretary to touching the genitals of a 13-year-old boy. The secretary told others in authority, who did nothing. Another person she told in 1995 did tell the Archdiocese, who reported it to the State’s Attorney’s Office. No charges. In 1995 a complaint was made to the Archdiocese of sexual abuse of a boy, age 16, in 1981. Cox admitted only to “sexual talk” with the boy, and said he had made a sexual suggestion to another boy. All occurred during 1979-1985. Placed on permanent leave without privileges. Sent to St. Louis for treatment. Although the Archdiocese recommended he stay there to avoid charges, Cox returned to MD. Report in 2002 of abuse of a fifth-grade altar boy over six months in 1980. Arrested, charged with the abuse of two boys (the third and fourth reported victims), one of whom said he went to the Archdiocese in 1984 to no avail. Pleaded guilty. Sentenced to 15 months in jail and 5 years probation. Served 9 months. Included on the archdiocese’s list in 2002. Laicized in 2003. Registered as a sex offender. Report in 2017 of abuse of an altar boy, age 10 or 11, in 1987-1988. Cox said he told a Church official sometime 1985-1990 about his “struggles” with pedophilia, whose response was “You’re a fine priest. Don’t worry about it.” Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General’s Report.


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