BUFFALO (NY)
The Buffalo News
March 1, 2018
By Aaron Besecker
Days after a retired priest admitted sexually abusing “probably dozens” of teenage boys, the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo on Thursday said it was taking steps to compensate other victims while attempting to address the pain its inaction has caused.
During an afternoon news conference at the Catholic Center downtown, officials announced the creation of a fund to settle claims of alleged sex abuse against clergy in the diocese, a move officials said promotes healing and would offer closure to victims.
“We are so very, very sorry for the pain of the abuse that has happened to you,” Bishop Richard J. Malone said during the news conference, addressing victims. “We’re sorry. I’m sorry. And we want to do everything we can going forward, reaching out to you who have come to us in the past.”
The announcement about the new program came two days after retired priest Norbert F. Orsolits admitted to The Buffalo News he sexually abused “probably dozens” of teenage boys in the late 1970s and early 1980s. But officials said the program had been in the works for months.
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