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.

Senator Catherine Young (R-Olean)

ALBANY – NY Senator Cathy Young (R-Olean) is also announcing legislation she says will advance justice and healing for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Under the new legislation sponsored by Young in the Senate, prosecutors will be able to better prosecute perpetrators of sex abuse, while victims will also have better access to restitution.

Key elements of the measure include creation of a $300 million state fund from asset forfeiture monies to compensate victims for physical and psychological harm. It also eliminates the criminal statute of limitations for child sex offenses.

“Childhood sexual abuse is one of society’s most insidious crimes. Perpetrated on innocent children, often by someone they know and trust, these crimes are frequently shrouded in shame, confusion and silence, leaving victims with deep emotional and psychological wounds that can take decades to confront,” said Senator Young. “While the wounds will never fully heal, victims deserve access to all avenues of justice, both criminal and monetary. This legislation serves as the bridge to that justice.”

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.

A media release says 68 year old Ellis Delahoy of 140 Jones St. Lakewood was arrested on a warrant and charged with first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child following an investigation, although details – including the time the alleged incident or incidents took place and the age of the victim – were not disclosed.

Delahoy was arraigned in Mina Court and committed to the Chautauqua County Jail without bail.

A report from the Sheriff’s Office says 46 year-old Louis Higgs Jr. of Thornton Rd. has been charged with course of sexual conduct against a child in the 1^st degree, sexual abuse in the 2^nd degree, and endangering the welfare of child.

The arrest was made after the sheriff’s office received a complaint from child protective services of an alleged sexual abuse case. After an investigation was completed a warrant was issued for Higgs’ arrest. The warrant was served on Thursday and Higgs was brought into police custody. He was arraigned and sent to the county jail on $50,000 cash bail.

After an arrest warrant was issued, Huch was located and taken at a residence in Randolph and taken into custody. He was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child and 2nd degree Aggravated Sexual Abuse with a person less than 11 years old.

Huch was arraigned in the Town of Stockton court and sent to the Chautauqua County Jail on $20,000 bail.