BUFFALO (NY)
The Daily News [Batavia NY]
January 8, 2026
By Matt Surtel
Sex abuse victims and those affected by the Diocese of Buffalo’s bankruptcy will have a chance to offer statements.
Four separate sessions have been planned through the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York.
Each session will start 10 a.m. at the Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse on 2 Niagara Square in Buffalo. They will include Jan. 27 and 28, and Feb. 25 and 26.
The Diocese of Buffalo became notorious internationally when sexual abuse cover-ups were revealed in Roman Catholic parishes across the U.S. At least 15 priests who served in Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties were accused of molesting children over decades.
Multiple molestations and rapes were often attributed to the same priests, who were repeatedly transferred to other parishes within the diocese. Criminal charges were rarely filed among those accused the GLOW region.
The diocese filed for bankruptcy in February 2020. The financial pressures were among the factors which led to multiple parish closures and mergers last year.
The diocese filed a Chapter 11 reorganization plan this past October.
Statement session details include:
- Statements will be made in person. Those unable to appear in person may request accommodations, including having counsel or another person read a written statement on their behalf.
- Statements cannot exceed 20 minutes.
- No statements will be considered as evidence in any matter or proceeding, including in the bankruptcy case.
- The sessions will not be transcribed by a court reporter. An audio recording will be made, but will be sealed and unavailable to the public in any form except by court order.
- Speakers who have Sexual Abuse Proofs of Claim in the bankruptcy case may elect to be identified only by their proof of claim number.
- No party or member of the public may photograph, video record, audio record, broadcast, televise, or otherwise transmit the sessions.
Those affected who want to make a statement are advised to contact — or have their lawyer contact — the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors at
DioceseBuffaloCommittee@pszjlaw.com or (212) 319-5527 by Jan. 15. They should the speaker or lawyer’s contact information and the speaker’s interest in the case.
It may not be possible to accommodate every request, diocesean officials said in a news release.
The committee shall select the speakers for each session. The court will be notified by email with the number of speakers, their expected order and time needed within two days of each session.