BUFFALO (NY)
WKBW TV
Dec. 12, 12019
By Charlie Specht
The secret files on abusive priests in the Diocese of Buffalo sit locked away in a group of beige and green file cabinets at diocesan headquarters on Main Street.
The question is whether a new bishop preaching transparency will release the files to abuse victims and other Catholics.
“Give us the files,” said attorney J. Michael Hayes, who represents two of the victims pushing for the files. “We’re entitled to them under the law.”
Hayes is making a motion in State Supreme Court that could be a potential game-changer for the diocese, and could pry open the secret files on two of its most notorious priests: Fr. William F.J. White and Fr. Norbert Orsolits.
“If there is such a thing as a smoking gun in these cases, my guess is it’s the personnel file of these priests,” Hayes said.
More than a dozen men accuse the two priests of sexual abuse that allegedly occurred decades ago. Hayes is asking Justice Deborah A. Chimes to force the diocese to turn over their files as part of normal court procedure.
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