BUFFALO (NY)
WKBW
March 12, 2018
CEO says funds go toward services, not settlements
Sexual abuse allegations against Catholic priests in Western New York are having an impact on the annual Catholic Charities Appeal.
The $11 million campaign is behind other years, according to Catholic Charities of Buffalo CEO Dennis Walczyk. He tells 7 Eyewitness News that part of the reason is because some community members are reluctant to contribute out of concern that their donation will be used to pay out settlements between the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo and victims of sexual abuse by priests.
Walczyk stresses that donations go towards the organization’s services, not settlements.
“We want everyone to understand that contributions to Catholic Charities directly support the services we provide,” Walczyk said in a statement.
The Appeal helps fund 70 programs and services across Western New York. So far it’s reached 40% of its goal, with a little more than three months left in the campaign.
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