Letitia James

The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo and New York Attorney General Letitia James have agreed to settle the lawsuit brought against the Diocese in November 2020 related to the past handling of clergy sexual abuse allegations.

According to a release by James’ office, the settlement ensures that the Buffalo Diocese will address complaints of clergy sexual abuse appropriately through a comprehensive court-ordered compliance program that is mandated for five years.

The settlement also establishes mechanisms to protect the public by requiring the Buffalo Diocese to have a formal program to individually monitor credibly accused priests and submit to an independent annual audit of its compliance.

The audits will be conducted by a former senior agent at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with expertise in matters of clergy sexual abuse, who has been vetted and approved by the Office of the Attorney General. The auditor will issue annual reports, which will be published on the Buffalo Diocese’s website.

Additionally, Bishop Emeritus Richard Malone and former Auxiliary Bishop Edward Grosz, in their individual capacities, will be banned for life from holding any secular fiduciary role with a charity registered in New York.

Former Buffalo Catholic Bishop Richard Malone

BUFFALO – Catholic Bishop Richard Malone of Buffalo resigned Wednesday, forced to step aside amid mounting calls for his removal from his staff, priests and public over his handling of allegations of clergy sexual misconduct.

The Buffalo Diocese includes Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties.

Malone came to Buffalo in 2012, long after many of the allegations took place. But critics say there have been recent missteps by Malone, including his decision to return to ministry a priest who had been suspended by a previous bishop.

The Vatican said Pope Francis accepted the resignation and appointed Edward Scharfenberger, the bishop of Albany, to run the Buffalo Diocese until a permanent replacement is found.

However, the Vatican embassy to the U.S. said Malone only offered to retire after learning the results of a Vatican-mandated investigation into the Western New York diocese and its handling of abuse claims.