Online Trademark Attorneys
Sausser Summers, PC
- Lower Cost
- Faster Process
- Experienced Trademark Attorneys
File a Trademark for $399 + $250 Government Filing Fee
Trademark Attorney Working With Clients in Baltimore, MD
If you're an entrepreneur, you know that protecting your intellectual property should be high on your list when it comes to safeguarding your company. However, as a successful business owner, you also know the steps and costs of filing a trademark in the U.S. can be expensive and arduous.
This conundrum can be even more overwhelming for new business owners who want to do everything possible to minimize the price of securing trademarks. They try to handle complicated tasks like trademark registration on their own, which can be a big mistake - especially when juggling the day-to-day tasks of running a business. You may be thinking, "But what about those set-it-and-forget-it services you can find online? All you have to do is plug in your info, and you're done." Using pre-made templates for trademark filing can be tempting, but doing so can leave you with inadequate protection and hurt you in the long run.
So, what is the easiest, most cost-effective route to consider that also minimizes legal risk? The truth is, before you spend money on an online filing service, it's best to consult with a trademark attorney working with clients in Baltimore, MD.
At Sausser Summers, PC, our experienced trademark attorneys can help you understand the trademark process step by step. We can even help with U.S. trademark filing, U.S. trademark responses, and U.S. trademark renewals at a price you can actually afford. That way, you can make an informed decision regarding your business without having to break the bank.
Resources
Sausser Summers, PC: Simplifying the U.S. Trademark Process
Hiring an attorney can be a daunting task, but at Sausser Summers, PC, our goal is to make the process as simple and seamless as possible for you. That's why we offer a straightforward checkout service. First, you choose your flat fee trademark service and fill out a short questionnaire. Then, we will contact you within 24 hours to discuss the details of our service. From there, one of our experienced trademark attorneys will get to work on your behalf.
Using a trademark attorney for filing in Baltimore, MD, can significantly increase your chances of a successful registration. The U.S. government recommends hiring a trademark attorney to help with your application, and our team of trademark lawyers is dedicated to meeting your needs. In fact, we help ensure your application is filed correctly the first time so you can get on with your life and avoid legal risks.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we work closely with our clients to understand their needs and provide them with sound professional advice. We never offer incomplete services, such as simply filing for registration, because that would leave you open to legal risks. You can rely on us to handle your intellectual property matters, and our flat fee services can help protect your business in a simple, straightforward, and affordable way. It's really that simple.
In terms of filing a U.S. trademark, we provide an easy three-step process to protect your intellectual property:
1. You provide your trademark info to our team via an online form.
2. Our team performs a comprehensive trademark search. This search ensures that no other marks will prevent you from registering your trademark in the U.S. Once performed, we'll send you a legal opinion letter that details our findings.
3. Sausser Summers, PC, files your U.S. trademark application. We are then listed as your Attorney of Record on file. From there, we'll provide ongoing updates regarding the status of your trademark as it works through the registration process.
The bottom line? At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
The bottom line?
At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
Do I Really Need a Trademark Attorney for Protecting My Business in Baltimore, MD?
It's not necessary to be a lawyer in order to apply for a trademark. Anyone can submit a trademark application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). However, registering a trademark involves more than just filling out a form. It's essential to conduct thorough research, accurately identify and clearly explain your trademark to ensure it receives adequate protection. And even after securing a trademark, you've got to monitor it consistently to make sure it's free from infringement.
The big takeaway here is that it's always a good idea to work with a trademark attorney to protect the intellectual property that you've worked so hard to establish. According to the Wall Street Journal, applicants are approximately 50% more likely to secure their trademark than people who file applications on their own. If your trademark application is rejected by the USPTO, you will need to revise and refile it, incurring additional filing fees. To avoid delays and extra costs, it is best to have a trademark lawyer help you get it right the first time.
Call
us (843) 654-0078Additional Benefits of Using a Trademark Attorney
Great trademark attorneys (like those you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC) will help with every step of filing and enforcing your trademark. Some additional benefits include the following:
Check to see if your proposed trademark is registered by another entity.
Conduct research to see if another business is using the trademark for which you're applying.
Provide advice and guidance on the strength of your trademark.
Draft and submit your trademark applications and application revisions.
Advice and guidance regarding trademark maintenance and protection.
Monitor the market for unauthorized use of your trademark.
Trademark enforcement to protect you against infringement.
Curious whether our trademark attorney services are right for you and your business? Contact Sausser Summer, PC, today. Let's talk about what you need, and how we can help.
What About Online Filing Services?
Online services, can provide you with basic assistance in filing your trademark. However, they will never be a legitimate substitute for an experienced trademark attorney helping clients in Baltimore, MD.
Although online filing services offer a step-by-step process, they take a one-size-fits-all approach to preparing legal documents. Even their advanced service only provides basic attorney assistance in completing your paperwork and helping with minor roadblocks. Online filing services' disclaimer highlights the many limitations of its services, including the fact that communications are not protected by attorney-client privilege. In addition, online filing services cannot provide advice, explanations, opinions, recommendations, or any kind of legal guidance on possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies.
In other words, online filing services can offer you the necessary forms and point you in the right direction, but they cannot customize their services to your specific needs or help you with serious complications that may arise.
For the most comprehensive trademark service and protection, it's always wise to work with highly rated trademark lawyers, like you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC.
Understanding Trademarks Over Time
Trademarks in the U.S. can last indefinitely, but did you know that clients in Baltimore, MD can file a trademark online, only to lose protection in some circumstances? Trademarks differ from patents and copyrights in that they do not have an expiration date. However, to prevent the cancellation of a trademark, you must maintain it. To ensure that your trademark remains protected, you must actively use it in commerce and renew it with the USPTO every ten years.
The Lanham Act tells us that "use in commerce" is the legitimate use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade. In other words, you cannot register a trademark solely to reserve the rights to it in the future. In most cases, a trademark must be used continuously in connection with the goods or services it is registered for.
Steps to Renew Your Trademark
Trademarks are registered with the USPTO and generally need to be renewed every ten years. However, there is one crucial exception that you should be aware of. Within the first ten years of owning a trademark, you must file for renewal between the fifth and sixth year from the date of your initial registration.
During this renewal period, you are required to submit a Section 8 declaration, a specimen that shows how the mark is being used, and pay the required fee. You can also apply for Section 15 Incontestability status, which can strengthen your trademark rights. This application, although not mandatory, can make it harder for others to challenge your ownership of the mark.
After the first renewal, which falls between the fifth and sixth year of ownership, the next renewal filing is due between the ninth and tenth year, and then every tenth year thereafter. In the ninth year you will need to file a Section 8 declaration, attesting to your use of the mark or excusable nonuse. You've also got to file a Section 9 renewal application before the end of the tenth year to keep your registration active.
It is worth noting that the USPTO provides a six-month grace period if you fail to renew your mark within the required time frame, but it is best not to rely on it. If you don't file within the grace period time limits, the USPTO will cancel and expire your mark.
By hiring trademark attorneys helping clients in Baltimore, MD, you can avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that can arise and cause you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it.
Losing Your Trademark Rights Through Abandonment
In the event that you stop using your trademark and have no plans to resume using it in commerce, it may be considered abandoned by the USPTO. This could result in the loss of your protective rights to the mark. Typically, a trademark is assumed to be abandoned if it has not been used for three years. However, you may be able to refute this presumption by providing evidence that you intend to use the mark again in the future.
Losing Your Trademark Rights Through Inappropriate Licensing
In addition to trademark abandonment, you should also be wary of improper licensing. It's important to remember that once you allow someone else to use your trademark, you must keep an eye on how they use it. You should monitor the products or services that feature your trademark to ensure that they meet consumers' expectations in terms of quality. Failure to do so can lead to a "naked" trademark license and the loss of your protective trademark rights.
How to Avoid Having to Refile Your Trademark
If you're wondering how you can avoid refiling your trademark, the answer is simple: file it correctly the first time around. Filing a trademark isn't inherently difficult, but when doing so, it's very important that certain aspects are filled out accurately in your application. If any information is missing or incorrect, the trademark application may be considered "void ab initio" or void from the beginning, requiring you to file again.
To avoid this, make sure that the information you provide in the application is accurate and complete, including the ownership of the trademark. For instance, if a corporation has multiple shareholders, it should not file under the President's personal name. The rightful owner should be the one/entity that ultimately controls the trademark and the associated goods/services.
It is also important to ensure that the goods and/or services description is precise. For example, if you sell electronic products, you should not file for research and development services despite having a research and development department. The goods/services description should reflect the goods/services you offer to customers, not the departments within your business.
Additionally, providing accurate dates of first use when filing for a trademark is crucial. The USPTO requires two dates to be specified - the date of first use anywhere and the date of first use in interstate commerce. Contact our trademark law office today to learn more about having accurate dates on your filing paperwork.
What Makes an Online Trademark Attorney Great?
At Sausser Summers, PC, we often get questions about how to distinguish run-of-the-mill consultants and others from great trademark attorneys. After all - when you're looking for an attorney to file or prosecute your business trademark, you should know their qualifications. Here are three ways you can separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff when it comes to trademark attorneys.
It's crucial to seek legal advice from a licensed trademark lawyer rather than relying on advice from non-professionals like trademark consultants. The USPTO even recommends hiring an attorney to help with the trademark process. Although trademark consultants may provide advice on trademark availability or name marketability, they cannot file the trademark for you or offer legal advice. According to the Rules of Practicing in trademark cases, "Individuals who are not attorneys are not recognized to practice before the Office in trademark matters." This rule applies to individuals who assist trademark applicants.
When searching for a trademark attorney, it's important to find someone with a strong background in trademark law. Look for an attorney who specializes in this area and has significant experience handling trademark-related cases. Avoid lawyers who don't have expertise in this field, as they may not be able to provide the guidance and support you need.
Ensure your attorney provides updates throughout the trademark registration process to avoid missing deadlines, including responding to any Office actions within six months. Failure to do so can result in trademark abandonment. The USPTO will only correspond with the listed attorney of record, so make sure your attorney keeps you informed.
In summary:
- Be sure you're using a licensed trademark attorney helping clients in Baltimore, MD.
- It's best to work with a trademark lawyer who has years of experience filing trademarks.
- Ensure that your trademark lawyer is willing to provide ongoing notifications relating to your trademark application process.
Trademark Attorneys Working Hard for You
Building your brand and gaining recognition for it is a significant achievement, and it's important to protect it. However, there are certain pitfalls and mistakes that can arise, causing you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it. By working with knowledgeable trademark attorneys, you can avoid these issues and file your trademark successfully.
With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Sausser Summers, PC, offers comprehensive guidance, strategic advice, and reliable representation for a variety of trademark matters. Our attorneys have years of real-world experience and, having registered countless trademarks with the USPTO, provide our clients with individualized representation when they need it most.
If you're looking for skilled, adept, and experienced counsel, look no further than our trademark law firm. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can help you safeguard your brand.
Latest News in Baltimore, MD
Will the cicadas be in Maryland this year? Here's where you'll see the 2024 brood
Janay Reecehttps://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/cicadas-baltimore-maryland-2024-brood/
BALTIMORE -- This year, trillions of cicadas will appear in several U.S. states, including Maryland. We don't see cicadas every year, but when they do emerge, they're loud and never alone.Peter Bieneman is general manager of Green Fields Nursery in Baltimore, so he knows a few things about plants, trees, and the ...
BALTIMORE -- This year, trillions of cicadas will appear in several U.S. states, including Maryland. We don't see cicadas every year, but when they do emerge, they're loud and never alone.
Peter Bieneman is general manager of Green Fields Nursery in Baltimore, so he knows a few things about plants, trees, and the cicadas that love them.
"As they are laying their eggs in their life cycle, they'll damage the stem of a tree and that will cause that stem to eventually die and what we call flagging," Bieneman said.
Not as many cicadas as we thought
Professor Michael Raupp is known as the 'bug guy' and works at the University of Maryland. Raupp said this year in Maryland, we will not see as many cicadas as we thought.
"No racket in Baltimore, no racket in DC, maybe some racket in Alexandria and Stafford, and then swinging down through the Deep South," said Raupp
According to the University of Maryland Extension, the 13-year Brood XIX will emerge in spring 2024 in southern areas of St. Mary's County.
Raupp explained two broods will emerge across the South and Midwest. Brood XIX, which is on a 13-year cycle, and Brood XIII, which is on a 17-year cycle.
"You can go out and look for dime size holes, stick your pinky in them underneath oak trees. hardwood trees, maple trees. If you see these holes underneath those trees, it's a very good sign. You're going to have periodical cicadas," said Raupp.
How to protect your trees from cicadas
If you have small trees that you've recently planted in the last year or two there is a chance cicadas can cause some trouble.
"They can cause some damage on those trees where they lay their eggs, and the branches will eventually die, and we call flags. So, on young trees we're urging that people protect those trees with netting that covers those trees," Raupp explained to WJZ.
A net can protect young trees. "Lesson number one: is getting your netting unwrapped, make sure it is appropriate to cover your tree," said Bieneman.
"We're not urging people to spray the cicadas. We've done scientific research demonstrating that spraying will not protect your trees," said Raupp. "The way you protect your trees is to net these trees and keep those cicadas off the trees from laying eggs."
You can buy a net for your tree at most home improvement or garden stores.
"You just want it to be breathable, you want it to be tight enough so that the cicadas can't get through it," said Bieneman.
And you can use a zip tie to keep it all in place. "It is as easy as that," said Bieneman.
Experts say cicadas will not hurt you or your pet and can be helpful in some environments if they do emerge.
"They also provide for the soil a lot of nutrients as their bodies eventually decay," said Bieneman.
"It happens a few times in a lifetime, so just go out and enjoy. But Baltimore, don't worry. They're not showing up on Pratt Street," said Raupp.
Coastal flooding in Maryland for Friday, tides above normal
Greg Nghttps://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-weather-storms-flooding-april-11-2024/60455539
BALTIMORE —Maryland will see scattered showers and isolated storms of Friday as Coastal Flooding will be an issue for the areas along the bay.|| Closings/Delays | Weather Advisories | Radar | ...
BALTIMORE —
Maryland will see scattered showers and isolated storms of Friday as Coastal Flooding will be an issue for the areas along the bay.
|| Closings/Delays | Weather Advisories | Radar | Forecast | Email Alerts | Send us your pics ||
Tides could come in 1-4 feet above normal of persistent onshore wind. In Anne Arundel County there could be moderate flooding during the morning high tide. In Annapolis peak tide is at 9 a.m. with total height of four feet.
In Harford County flooding will be minor in the morning, while becoming moderate by the afternoon. In Harve de Grace peak tide will be at 1:09 p.m. with a total height of 6 feet.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Timelapse of the Coastal Flooding in Annapolis this morning from 4:30 am - 7:30 am. High tide will be at 9 am. pic.twitter.com/N9LUrNLukD
— Ava Marie (@AvaWBAL) April 12, 2024
Pann said the wind is key to causing the potential for flooding, particularly coastal flooding.
The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood watch for late Thursday night through Friday afternoon in Anne Arundel County and much of the Eastern Shore, saying tidal flooding is possible due to tides around 1 1/2 to 2 feet above normal.
Meteorologist Dalencia Jenkins said rain may not be the main issue and that possible coastal flooding could be a problem.
"Coastal flooding is going to be moving into Annapolis, as well as the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Baltimore, even along the Chesapeake Bay. Everyone in low-lying areas needs to exercise caution over the next few days," Jenkins said.
Baltimore City Department of Transportation crews packed and handed out 330 sandbags to residents in the Hillen Road area, a flood-prone location near Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School. Brian Jefferson got some sandbags for his neighbors and his home.
"Water goes from the porch to that tree over there. Cars float down the street, and that's what it do," Jefferson said.
Video below: Baltimoreans prepare for potential flooding
Officials in Annapolis are warning of the potential closures of Dock and Compromise streets later this week, as well as other low-lying areas throughout the city.
Residents are asked to clear gutters and downspouts and move away leaves that can block water from flowing.
As always, drivers are reminded to "Turn Around, Don't Drown" when encountering flood water.
| LINK: MDOT SHA's Statewide Transportation Operations Response Map
Download the WBAL-TV app NOW and turn on push alerts to be aware of severe weather warnings, listen to NOAA Weather radio, and watch WBAL-TV 11 when impending severe weather develops.
@wbaltv11 | @TTasselWBAL | @AvaWBAL | @TonyPannWBAL | @DalenciaWBAL | @ChelseaWeather
WBAL-TV 11 Maryland Weather Radar
App users tap here for interactive radar.
Maryland's 7-Day Weather Forecast
Alert Days vs. Impact Days
You may see the WBAL-TV 11 Weather Team highlight Alert Days or Impact Days in the forecasts. Here's what that means:
Potential power outages
Storm conditions could cause outages by knocking down tree limbs onto power lines and other electric delivery equipment. Baltimore Gas and Electric asks all customers to report their outage in any of the following ways:
The latest outage information, including total number and general locations, is available on the BGE.com outage map.
As a reminder, fallen overhead power lines should never be approached or touched even if the lines do not appear to be live or sparking. Call BGE at 877-778-2222 to report fallen electrical lines, power outages and gas odors.
Share your weather photos and videos
Show us your weather photos and videos, we may use them on 11 News or online!
Churches May Close In Baltimore City, County As Mass Attendance Falls
Jacob Baumgarthttps://patch.com/maryland/perryhall/dozens-churches-may-close-baltimore-city-county-under-proposal
Dozens of churches could close in Baltimore City and County. Catholic leaders cited low Mass attendance and deferred maintenance.Patch Staff|Updated Mon, Apr 15, 2024 at 6:10 pm ETBALTIMORE, MD — The Archdiocese of Baltimore wants to close about two-thirds of its Catholic churches in coming years.The Archdiocese currently has 61 parishes at 59 worship sites in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. If the new plan is adopted, that would fall to 21 parishes at 26 worship sites.The plan, dubbed the Seek...
Dozens of churches could close in Baltimore City and County. Catholic leaders cited low Mass attendance and deferred maintenance.
Patch Staff
|Updated Mon, Apr 15, 2024 at 6:10 pm ET
BALTIMORE, MD — The Archdiocese of Baltimore wants to close about two-thirds of its Catholic churches in coming years.
The Archdiocese currently has 61 parishes at 59 worship sites in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. If the new plan is adopted, that would fall to 21 parishes at 26 worship sites.
The plan, dubbed the Seek the City Proposal, has been in the works for nearly two years. A final decision on the plan is expected this June. The changes would take effect over time on a case-by-case basis.
The Archdiocese on its website cited "deferred maintenance, low Mass attendance, and multiple unmet opportunities to better serve the needs of the [broader] community" for its decision.
Archbishop William E. Lori is hosting public input sessions on:
Find out what's happening in Perry Hallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The meetings will also have virtual attendance options.
If the plan is adopted, parishes would merge. Some parishes would have additional worship sites aside from their main church. This would let some downsizing churches stay open in a reduced capacity. Other churches could close altogether.
No schools will be affected, Catholic Review reported. All Catholic schools, including those at churches slated to close, will remain open.
The Baltimore Sun reported that about 2,000 of the Archdiocese's 25,000 seats are occupied on any given weekend.
"We have known for a long time that we could not continue to ignore the decline in Mass attendance and increased resources required to keep our physical plants in good condition," the Archdiocese said on its Frequently Asked Questions page. "We must realign and consolidate our efforts and resources. Our failure to do so would be shortsighted and render us to be poor stewards of the time, talent and material gifts with which God has blessed us."
The Archdiocese said the downsizing isn't related to its September 2023 bankruptcy filing. The bankruptcy came a day before a new Maryland law eliminating the statute of limitations for child sex abuse lawsuits took effect.
"One does not relate to the other," the Archdiocese said on its website. "The Seek the City process began long before the passage of the law lifting the statute of limitations and the subsequent filing for Chapter 11 reorganization."
Here are the proposed new parishes. More information and a map of the suggested new boundaries is posted at archbalt.org/seek-the-city-proposal.
Basilica of the Assumption
The Church of the Immaculate Conception (Druid Hill, Baltimore) parish territory added.
East Baltimore Parish
Seated at St. Francis Xavier with St. Ignatius territory added.Parishes merging: St. Ann, St. Francis Xavier, St. Wenceslaus
Near East Parish
Seated at St. Leo the Great. St. Patrick Hispanic ministry moves to Highlandtown.Parishes merging: St. Leo the Great, St. Patrick, St. Vincent de Paul
Canton Parish
Seated at St. Casimir.Parishes merging: St. Casimir, St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Highlandtown Parish
Seated at Sacred Heart of Jesus with Hispanic ministry and additional worship site at Holy Rosary with Hispanic and Polish ministry.Parishes merging: Sacred Heart of Jesus, Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Pompei
Bayview Parish
Seated at Our Lady of Fatima with Hispanic ministry.Parishes merging: Our Lady of Fatima
Dundalk Parish
Seated at Our Lady of Hope.Parishes merging: Our Lady of Hope, St. Luke, Sacred Heart of Mary, St. Rita
Essex Parish
Seated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel with Hispanic ministry.Parishes merging: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Clare
Far Northeast Parish
Seated at Church of the Annunciation with additional worship site at St. Michael the Archangel with Hispanic ministry.Parishes merging: Church of the Annunciation, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Clement Mary Hofbauer
Far North Parish
Seated at Immaculate Heart of Mary.Parishes merging: Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Thomas More
Cathedral of Mary Our Queen
Seated at the Cathedral with Filipino ministry.Parishes merging: Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Shrine of the Sacred Heart, St. Pius X, St. Thomas Aquinas
Near Northeast Parish
Seated at St. Matthew.Parishes merging: St. Matthew, Blessed Sacrament, Most Precious Blood, Shrine of the Little Flower, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Dominic, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Mary of the Assumption
Charles North Parish
Seated at Saints Philip & James with campus ministry at JHU/MICA.Parishes merging: Saints Philip & James, Corpus Christi
Near Northwest Parish
Seated at St. Ambrose.
Far Northwest Parish
Seated at New All Saints.Parishes merging: New All Saints, St. Cecilia, Immaculate Conception
West Baltimore Parish
Seated at St. Bernardine with additional worship site at a second to-be-determined location (St. Peter Claver to remain open temporarily).Parishes merging: St. Bernardine, St. Peter Claver, St. Edward, St. Gregory the Great, St. Pius V
Southwest Baltimore Parish
Seated at St. Agnes.Parishes merging: St. Agnes, Our Lady of Victory, St. Benedict, St. Joseph’s Monastery, St. William of York
South Baltimore Parish
Seated at Holy Cross with additional worship site at Transfiguration.Parishes merging: Holy Cross, St. Mary star of the Sea, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Transfiguration Catholic Community
Curtis Bay/ Cherry Hill Parish
Sited at St. Rose of Lima and additional possible worship site at Cherry Hill Town Center.Parishes merging: St. Rose of Lima, St. Athanasius, St. Veronica
Personal ParishesSt. Ignatius, St. Alphonsus
Archdiocese proposes closing dozens of churches in Baltimore
Adam Thompsonhttps://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/archdiocese-proposes-closing-dozens-of-churches-in-baltimore/
BALTIMORE - The Archdiocese of Baltimore is proposing to close dozens of churches in the city, according to our media partner at The Baltimore Banner.The Archdiocese released a plan Sunday, which officials say is the result of two years of consideration. The plan would cut 40 of its 61 parishes, resulting in the closure of several historic landmarks and once-thriving worship sites.The Archdiocese cited maintenance costs of aging churches, low mass attendance and "multiple unmet opportunities to better serve the needs of th...
BALTIMORE - The Archdiocese of Baltimore is proposing to close dozens of churches in the city, according to our media partner at The Baltimore Banner.
The Archdiocese released a plan Sunday, which officials say is the result of two years of consideration. The plan would cut 40 of its 61 parishes, resulting in the closure of several historic landmarks and once-thriving worship sites.
The Archdiocese cited maintenance costs of aging churches, low mass attendance and "multiple unmet opportunities to better serve the needs of the broader community" as reasons for this proposal.
Archbishop William E. Lori will hold two public listening sessions on the proposed plan at the end of the month with a final decision expected in June.
The plan, called Seek the City to Come, began in September 2022 in response to dramatically falling participation, and officials say it was not related to its bankruptcy case filed last fall, according to the Banner.
The Archdiocese filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September ahead of a new law that went into effect in October. The Child Victims Act eliminated the statute of limitations in child sexual abuse claims.
An Attorney General report last year identified more than 160 clergy and other church staff accused of abusing more than 600 victims.
St. Benedict in Southwest Baltimore closed last November following an allegation of sexual abuse against a priest.
I was raised in Ohio, but made stops in Virginia and North Carolina, before landing in Maryland.
Disclaimer:
