ST. BONAVENTURE (NY)
Olean Times Herald
November 7, 2018
By Tom Dinki
A longtime and now-deceased St. Bonaventure University friar was credibly accused of sexually abusing a minor.
The Rev. Maurice Scheier was among the additional 36 priests identified by Buffalo Bishop Richard Malone on Monday as having had substantiated claims of abuse against them. Scheier worked at St. Bonaventure from 1928 to 1986, leading the university’s math department and serving as dean of science, before his death in 1991.
SBU-TV, St. Bonaventure’s student-run news station, first reported Scheier’s connection to the university.
In a statement Tuesday, St. Bonaventure President Dr. Dennis DePerro said Monday’s announcement was the first time university officials learned of accusations against Scheier, adding their records do not indicate Scheier was ever accused of abuse while employed at St. Bonaventure.
DePerro said clergy abuse claims are investigated and adjudicated by either the bishop or the friar’s sponsoring province, which in Scheier’s case was Holy Name Province of the Franciscan Friars. DePerro said any inquiries should be directed to the provincial minister of Holy Name Province, who could not immediately be reached Tuesday.
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