[Photo above: Fr. Samuel Venne of Buffalo in a screen shot from this report.]

A retired Diocese of Buffalo priest has appealed a decision from the Vatican to suspend him for seven years after being accused twice of sexual abuse of minors.

Samuel Venne, 79, has been a priest with the Buffalo Diocese for more than 40 years. He learned of his punishment through a Nov. 10, 2020, letter from Judicial Vicar Rev. Msgr. Salvator Manganello.

The letter came with a “Penal Precept” spelling out the restrictions against Venne, which included prohibiting him from celebrating Mass publicly and from wearing any clerical garb. [See the Penal Precept in a screen shot from this report.]

In other words, Venne, who has always maintained he is innocent, is not allowed to present himself as a priest.  

Venne has refused to sign the precept.

“I cannot sign any document regarding my…