Pennsylvania: accused Franciscan friar commits suicide

January 28, 2013

A Franciscan friar who was accused of abuse by dozens of his former male students has committed suicide.

Brother Stephen Baker, TOR, worked as a teacher and coach at John F. Kennedy Catholic High School in Warren, Oh., from 1986 to 1992 and at Bishop McCort Catholic High School in Johnstown, Penn., from 1992 to 2002.

In 1998, Brother Baker also served as one of nine members of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown’s confirmation committee.

In October, the Diocese of Youngstown and the Immaculate Conception Province of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular settled with 11 former students. As news of the settlement became known, dozens more of his former students have come forward in recent weeks.

A different province of the Third Order Regular is associated with Saint Francis University in Loretto, Penn., and Franciscan University of Steubenville.

 

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Further information:

• Brother Baker death ruled a suicide (Altoona Mirror)
• More alleging abuse by friar: Serbin gets involved (Johnstown Tribune-Democrat)
• Scandal rocks JFK (Warren Tribune Chronicle)
• Death of Bro. Stephen Baker, T.O.R. (Diocese of Youngstown)
• Assignment Record – Brother Stephen P. Baker, T.O.R. (BishopAccountability.org)