BUFFALO (NY)
The Buffalo News
Published March 23, 2018; Updated March 24, 2018
By Jay Tokasz
Eight priests from the Diocese of Buffalo accused of sexually abusing children live within a short walk of area elementary and middle schools.
Beyond naming the priests, the diocese has declined to disclose addresses or any other information about the 42 priests it said on Tuesday had credible allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors brought against them.
Seventeen of the 42 clergy on the list are alive.
A Buffalo News search of public records showed eight of the living priests resided within blocks of a school. In some cases, they lived across the street from a school or down the road a few houses.
“Obviously, it’s a cause for concern. It’s an issue that the community needs to recognize,” said Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn. “The problem is that these individuals are not required to be registered. They were never found guilty of any offense. They’re not in any local database for sex registry offenses. So legally, there’s nothing that anyone can do to prevent them from living near a school. That’s the unfortunate reality here.”
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