Fr. Michael J. Harrington

Included 3/20/2018 on the diocese’s list as removed, retired, or having left ministry after allegations of the sexual abuse of a minor. Died in 1989; the diocesan list includes deceased priests only if they have more than one allegation. Pastor for 25 years of Immaculate Conception in Buffalo. Monsignor. Retired in 1995. In 8/2019 a man filed suit, claiming Harrington fondled him as a 10-year-old altar boy in 1965 on a trip to New York City. He said the abuse took place in a hotel while Harrington bathed him. Bishop McNulty was on the boys paper route, and the boy reportedly told the bishop about the abuse. He said McNulty said he’d “take care of it” and gave the boy a generous tip. Another man had a similar story of abuse by Harrington at about age 12, during a trip to Montreal. The man said Harrington regularly took altar boys with him on trips. Accused in a suit filed in 9/2019 of abuse of a boy 1978-1981, starting when the boy was 10. By 8/2021 there were 17 lawsuits filed under the NY Child Victims Act with accusations against Harrington. In 11/2024 a man said he was sexually abused by Harrington when he was an 11-year-old altar boy in 1977, during a trip to Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. He said the priest would choose one altar server to go with him each year on an annual pilgrimage to the Basilica. Harrington’s modus operandi with his victims was to force them to drink a liquid that would cause them to lose consciousness, and they would awaken “feeling violated.”