The Diocese of Buffalo has officially ended its support of Catholic priests accused of abuse in cases where the reports were substantiated, says a local news source.

The decision came at the end of April, and with it, all financial support and health benefits for these Catholic priests accused of abuse will also end.

“In some cases, a few priests were still receiving a monthly salary, based on the last monthly amount they were receiving prior to having their faculties suspended,” interim Communications Director Greg Tucker told the Livingston County news via email. “The other support was in the form of health and dental insurance, and in some cases, car insurance.”

The Catholic sex abuse scandal also incurred criticism of bishop Richard J. Malone, who eventually resigned from his post at the end of last year due to his handling of the scandal.

A slew of Catholic priests accused of abuse served in the Diocese of Buffalo, in Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties. A number of these priests have been hit with lawsuits as well. Some priests had served in the diocese for several decades.

Those affected by this decision are few in number, the diocese noted, and none of them are currently allowed to work as priests in the diocese.

“None of the 23 individuals affected currently has faculties to function as a priest within the diocese,” the diocese said in a statement. “The nature and details of the allegations that resulted in their faculties being suspended relate, in most cases, to allegations raised many years ago. The diocese is directing these individuals to information and available resources elsewhere for their health insurance and other sustenance needs going forward.”

Notably, however, the priests’ pensions are protected by law.

This decision to end support for Catholic priests credibly accused of abuse comes as the Diocese is undergoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

The Diocese of Buffalo filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy back in February as more and more sexual abuse lawsuits pile up. Now, the diocese is facing more than 200 such sexual abuse lawsuits and is struggling financially as a result. Indeed, the diocese saw a $5 million loss in the 2018-19 fiscal year compared with a $1.8 million loss the year prior.

The Buffalo diocese is not the first in New York to declare bankruptcy—the Diocese of Rochester filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year.

Filing a Catholic Child Sex Abuse Lawsuit

If you or someone you love is a victim of childhood sex abuse in New York, even if that abuse took place years or even decades ago, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation under the New York Child Victims Act.

The Child Victims Act was signed into law by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in February 2019, and substantially extends the civil statute of limitations restricting child sex abuse survivors from pursuing litigation. Hundreds of survivors of child sex abuse have since been able to file litigation against their abusers as a result of the Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal, as well as the organizations that allowed this abuse to occur.

Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by this kind of abuse and trauma, but it can at least help to provide monetary compensation for your suffering, as well as hold those responsible for your pain accountable.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially over something as devastating as childhood sex abuse, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

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