Wnyers Want Pope to Investigate Sex Abuse Claims

WGRZ
January 27, 2015

http://www.wgrz.com/story/news/local/2015/01/27/priest-abuse/22399267/

Vanessa DeRose (left), Diane Tiveron (center) an attorney in the case and Antonio "Tino" Flores

Two Western New Yorkers are calling on Pope Francis to investigate allegations of sexual abuse in the Buffalo Diocese.

Vanessa DeRosa says she was a teenager at the former St. Dominic Savio Middle School in Niagara Falls, when she was sexually abused and harassed by a male teacher. She says when she reported it to school officials, nothing was done.

"He did touch me numerous times there was a lot of harassment, he followed me around, made really inappropriate comments," DeRosa said.

Antonio (Tino) Flores says his abuse began in 1973, when he was 10-years-old. He says a priest from Bishop Timon High in Buffalo, sexually abused him for several years, leading him to deal with depression, illness and panic disorders.

"He started touching me, taking my hand, rubbing his leg, unzipping his pants putting my hand in it," Flores said.

That priest died years ago. Attorneys say the teacher is no longer in school. Attorneys also say lawsuits -- and in the case of Flores -- criminal charges can't be pursued.

"The diocese has chosen to do nothing, the church is doing nothing, because it can, Tino's and Vanessa's claims are outside any existing statue of limitations in New York state," said Diane Tiveron, an attorney for HoganWillig.

Attorneys representing DeRosa and Flores say both instances, the alleged abusers worked for the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.

This past November, the Pope began an investigation of the Catholic Diocese in Spain for similar reasons.

Still, DeRosa and Flores are calling on the Vatican to investigate the Buffalo Diocese, believing sexual abuse misconduct in the diocese could be uncovered.

"The request has been made and as of yesterday it has been received by the Vatican," Tiveron said.

The Buffalo Diocese has released this statement from Bishop Malone. He said he was saddened to hear about the reports but added each of the cases occurred before his tenure. In addition, he said the cases were handled in accordance with the policies and procedures enacted by the diocese.