The cases are part of a series that were filed under a new state law known as the Child Victims Act. It allows for a one-year litigation window for victims to file civil lawsuits that had previously been barred by the state’s statute of limitations.

According to the Jamestown Post-Journal, the lawsuits filed on Wednesday claim that the churches and Buffalo diocese failed to report known or suspected abuse of children by various priests and church officials.

Among the cases is one involving the Holy Apostles and St. James parishes, both in Jamestown. The Holy Apostles parish was previously known as St. John’s Church, and the alleged abuse against the victim is said to have taken place between 1948 and 49. The case specifically names the Rev. Francis Hogan, who has since passed away.

Another case was filed against St. James parish and involved abuse that allegedly occurred in 1967 to 1970 at the Our Lady of Victory church. At the time the church was located in Frewsburg, but is now part of St. James. That case specifically names the Rev. James P. Hayes, who has also since passed away.

Other suits involve alleged incidents that took place at St. Joseph’s Church in Fredonia and the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, formerly St. Rose of Lima, in Forestville.

According to the Buffalo Diocese, in addition to a report from attorneys from Anderson Advocates, priests who served in the Chautauqua County area who were accused of abuse include:

• The Rev. Martin Pavlock, a Jamestown native who represented at least 12 Western New York parishes from 1966 through 2002;
• The Rev. Chester Stachewicz, who was an associate pastor of St. James Catholic Church in Jamestown in the late 70s and early 80s;
• The Rev. Donald Fafinski, who was appointed pastor of St. John’s Church of Jamestown in the fall of 1991;
• The Rev. John Hajduk, who served as a deacon of St. James Roman Catholic Church in Jamestown;
• The Rev. James Spielman, a Buffalo native, came to the Jamestown to serve at ss peter and paul form 1987 to 1989;
• The Rev. Mark Friel, who served as pastor of SS Peter and Paul Church in Jamestown;
• The Thomas Kemp, who served as pastor of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church of Frewsburg in the early to mid 70s;
• The Rev. Francis Hogan, who served as pastor of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Cassadaga in the mid to late 40s;
• The Rev. Joseph Friel was pastor of St. Patrick’s Church in Randolph. He became pastor in 1977;
• The Rev. James Cotter who served at Our Lady of Lourdes in Bemus Point from 1966 to 1978;
• The Rev. Gerald Jasinksi, who served at St. John the Evangalist in Sinclairville in 1969;
• Fr. Loville Martlock, who served in both Sinclairville and Cherry Creek.
  

A document was released, telling more about the priests’ histories and ordination years. You can read full report at http://www.andersonadvocates.com.