Fr. Michael Kolodziej

Ordained for the Buffalo diocese before joining Order of Friars Conventual in 1978. Former Minister Provincial of the Order. Worked in MD, NY, MA and GA as teacher, including in the Springfield MA diocese. Principal of Cardinal O’Hara High in Buffalo diocese 1982-1988, and assistant principal at St. Francis High in Athol Springs 1979-1982. Head of the Order’s St. Anthony of Padua Province 2001-2010, responsible for creating a system to prevent child sexual abuse in the Province and for addressing allegations against member of the Order.  In 11/2013 a former student at Archbishop Curley High in Baltimore alleged that Kolodziej sexually abused him on several occasions 1975-1979 while “wrestling.” Suspended by Order from public ministry; archdiocese removed his faculties. Police were investigating. On the Atlanta archdiocese’s list 11/6/2018. On Buffalo diocese’s list updated 11/5/2018. On Baltimore’s list 9/5/2019. Accused in two lawsuits filed in 2019 under the NY Child Victims Act of molesting boys at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Tonawanda NY, both in 1982-1983. Included in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General’s Report. It details allegations of abuse by Kolodziej of six former students of Cardinal O’Hara High School in Buffalo NY, St. Francis High School in Athol Springs NY and Curley High School in Baltimore MD. A Curley High victim received a $50K settlement. Included in the 3/24/2023 GA PAC Report.