BUFFALO (NY)
The Buffalo News
October 3, 2018
News Editorial Board
The mother of an alleged molestation victim called it “a covered-up mess.” A Catholic priest who was accused of sexually abusing a teenage boy was allowed to remain in ministry for several decades, on the watch of six bishops or auxiliary bishops in the Buffalo Diocese.
Her mistake, she realized too late, was that she reported the crime not to police, but to the church, which was all too eager to cover it up. In her pain is a lesson for others.
Monica Lesniak, of Cheektowaga, shared her story with The News’ Jay Tokasz last week. Lesniak said the incident took place in the early 1980s. Her son went to see a movie with the Rev. Brian M. Hatrick, who was assistant pastor at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Depew, the family’s parish. Afterward, Lesniak says, the priest fondled and kissed the teenager inside a car.
Lesniak reported the incident to her pastor at the time, Monsignor Joseph Coughlin, she says. After Lesniak told Coughlin about the assault, he said he would take care of things. Hatrick was moved out of the Depew parish and sent to other assignments, apparently suffering no consequences. He worked for decades in other Buffalo parishes.
The mom, now in her 70s, says she regrets not going to the police. When children are sexually abused by adults, that is a crime, no matter who the adults happen to be. Reporting it to law enforcement is a necessity.
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