As indicated in a Feb. 28, 2018 Buffalo News article, at least 100 Catholic priest sex offenders that currently or at one time worked in the Buffalo, New York area have been identified by “credible allegations”. The unveiling started with a tell-all interview of a former child victim on a street corner across from the office of the Buffalo diocese.

Victim Michael W. accused Rev. Robert F. Orsolits of molesting him as a child during this street corner interview. Michael’s interview had an unexpected effect of summoning the latent courage of many other victims of Catholic priest sex offenders, most of which had remained silent to that point. The others came forward as well and accused their predators in like fashion.

Then Orsolits reportedly “confessed” his sexual misconduct to a brave journalist with the nerve to knock on his door directly. He admitted to molesting young boys in the dozens during his career and the resulting drama put the spotlight squarely upon the diocese. If Catholic priest sex offenders were this present in the region, just what did the Buffalo diocese know? How could they not know?

Caving under this public relations nightmare, the diocese reportedly released the names of 113 Catholic and Jesuit priests credibly accused over the years of sexually molesting minors. It was not long after this that there was a public outcry for the resignation of the reigning Bishop.

What Was the Purpose of the Curbside Interview?

In a separate Jan. 28, 2019 Buffalo News article, Michael W. was given some recognition for “getting the ball rolling” with respect to the recent passage of the Child Victims Act(CVA) voted in by the Senate that month. CVA had been a controversial work in progress for a dozen years that had—up until that point—remained stalled.

While he says he has no idea the effect of his interviews would be so far reaching as to affect the law itself, he remains honored to have been part of a movement that will start giving a voice to minor victims of sex abuse. CVA extends the statute of limitations for criminal charges against an abuser from 23 years of age to 28. It extends the deadline from 23 years of age to 55 for the filing of civil lawsuits. Finally, after a six-month waiting period, a one-year retroactive period will open up for civil lawsuits to be filed by victims of any age.

The No Arrest Protocol

In yet another Buffalo News article published on May 19, 2019, it was revealed that none of the over 100 priest predators had ever served time for their misdeeds. Former Vice Squad Detective Martin H. and other retired officers of the Buffalo Police Department claimed that they had orders to ‘not arrest any Catholic priest’, regardless of criminal activity.

The officers were to report crimes to the diocese who would then purportedly deal with the priest in question. The line of communication, according to this report, did not go both ways. The diocese would not bring criminal issues regarding a priest to the attention of law enforcement. This arrangement didn’t seem to extend to clergy of other religions either.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.