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  More Accusations against Local Priest

Wkbw
March 8, 2011

http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/More-Accusations-Against-Local-Priest-117551148.html

[with video]

Cheektowaga (WKBW) Last week, a Cheektowaga parishioner accused a Catholic priest of inappropriately touching him ten years ago. Since then, at least two more alleged victims have come forward claiming Father David Bialkowski behaved inappropriately towards them.

Kevin Stocker is representing those alleged victims. "This issue has been ongoing with this individual for approximately 10 years. Other parishioners, other people from another church that Father David has belonged to, have complained about inappropriate behavior," he said.

Stocker said after the first alleged victim came out, more people felt necessary to do the same.

"Now taking it to the public forum, now people are starting to pay attention. And it forces the Catholic institution to finally do something about it," Stocker said.

The Diocese of Buffalo said they are following protocol moving forward. Director of Communications for the Diocese of Buffalo, Kevin Keenan, said they will thoroughly look into the additional accusations.

"Whenever an allegation is made, whether it is a priest, any member of the clergy, a lay employee of the Diocese of Buffalo, we have a very specific policy that we are mandated to follow. We are following our policy and an investigation will be undertaken to consider these additional allegations," Keenan said.

Bialkowski's attorney released a statement last week, which reads in part: "Fr. David Bialkowski is a man of deep faith. He is relying on his faith to get him through this, and he is relying on the support of his many friends."

But Stocker says there is only one course of action that needs to be taken, and taken quickly.

"You have to take aggressive action. You have to protect other children. The appropriate action needs to be taken in this instance, and that is to not let this individual be around children," he said.

Father Bialkowski has been placed on administrative leave, but the Diocese said that is no indication of whether or not there was any wrongdoing committed.

 
 

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