BUFFALO (NY)
Catholic News Service
March 3, 2020
The bishop serving as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Buffalo said he regretted the “pain and further disillusionment” of clergy sexual abuse survivors caused by the participation of priests credibly accused of abuse in a private Lenten Mass at which he presided.
Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of Albany, N.Y., said March 1 in a statement that the Mass at the start of Lent for all priests of the diocese emphasized “the need to atone for and work toward the healing of all who have been harmed by the scourge of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic clergy.”
His statement came in response to angry reaction to the Mass by Robert Hoatson, co-founder of Road to Recovery, a sexual abuse victims’ advocacy group.
Hoatson charged March 1 in front of diocesan headquarters that Bishop Scharfenberger “disrespected” and retraumatized sex abuse survivors by having the accused priests at the Mass. Hoatson, a former priest, called on Bishop Scharfenberger to resign.
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