BUFFALO (NY)
Spectrum News 1 [Buffalo, NY]
July 21, 2026
By Spectrum News staff
A group that assists victims of sexual abuse is calling for more transparency from the Buffalo Diocese following the arrest of priest Jeffrey Nowak.
Road to Recovery is demanding that the diocese publicly release the Code of Canon Law 489 secret files associated with Nowak.
“They’re still giving abusers, they’re still giving criminals, benefits, and have been doing it for years,” former priest Jim Faluszczak said.
Earlier this month, Nowak was arrested on child sexual abuse charges.
Federal agents seized multiple devices inside his home that contained sexually explicit videos and pictures of children.
He faces up to 20 years in prison.
Diocese officials added that financial support is still required by canon law even if priests have been removed from active ministry.
In a statement, the diocese said that they learned about the allegations against Nowak at the same time as the public and they are cooperating with the proper authorities. The diocese also said they are no longer providing financial support to Nowak.
“The diocese is fully committed to providing federal investigators and any other law-enforcement officials with any and all background and relevant information pertaining to Jeffrey Nowak that will support their prosecution of the horrendous allegations brought against him. We have shared details of his removal from active ministry, beginning in 2019, and more recent steps to restrict his ability to function as a priest within the Diocese of Buffalo, and also reduce the level of financial support required by canon law for priests removed from active ministry but still technically in the ‘clerical state’.
Again, the diocese learned of these horrific allegations at the same time the general public learned of them. Since then, all financial support for Jeffrey Nowak has ceased. Bishop Michael Fisher has furthermore contacted the appropriate Vatican authorities in the effort to now petition his involuntary removal from the clerical state, as allowed for by canon law.”