‘60 Minutes’ report on diocese lauded, criticized

DUNKIRK (NY)
Observer

October 30, 2018

A sexual abuse survivor from the Diocese of Buffalo is hailing the “60 Minutes” report that aired Sunday night on the CBS network news magazine.

Matt Golden, who sued the Diocese of Buffalo in August claiming the diocese and Bishop Richard J. Malone created and exposed the public to dangerous predator priests and continue to do so through present day, said he was “not surprised” by what he saw in the segment.

Golden’s lawsuit claims the diocese continues to conspire and engage in efforts to conceal from the public and law enforcement, the identities of priests who have sexually abused minors and allow known child molesters, like the Rev. Dennis Riter who abused Matthew when he was a child, to live freely in the community without informing the public. To-date more than 80 priests have been accused of child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Buffalo.

Riter continues to serve Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Dunkirk.

“Things will not change for the better in the Diocese of Buffalo unless all the Catholic Bishops in New York are forced to come clean and tell the truth,” Golden said. “This is why I brought suit against the Diocese of Buffalo and Bishop Malone, because they are protecting Fr. Riter, and how many others?”

The Diocese of Buffalo also offered a response to the “60 Minutes” segment. Here was the statement issued on Monday afternoon:

“Two stories aired on Sunday, October 28, regarding the Diocese. Many have sought our comment about both. Therefore, we issue this statement and will provide information in the days ahead that will add perspective to the stories. For now, we simply observe that the material reported in the stories was incomplete, out of context and in some cases plainly inaccurate.

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