Fr. Michael R. Freeman

Buffalo priest. First named publicly as accused on 3/20/18 diocesan list. Worked in Erie diocese in 1980s, in both NY and PA. Admitted to “violating children” in five of his six assignments. Treated twice at Southdown in Canada. Died in 2010; list included deceased priests only if they have more than one allegation. Working at St. Mary of the Assumption church in Lancaster NY in 1987-88. Named in 8/14/18 PA Grand Jury Report. Faculties revoked in 3/89. Suit filed 4/30/19. One alleged victim stated in 6/19 that as a teen in the early 1980s he told then Msgr – later Bishop – Trautman of abuse by Freeman, and that Trautman told him, “You should never have put yourself in that position.” Freeman was kept in ministry. Named in a suit in 8/19. Accuser said Freeman “brandished a .38 caliber pistol” during at least one abuse incident. A suit filed in 9/19 alleged abuse at Sacred Heart in Niagara Falls of a boy for two years, beginning in when the boy was 15 in 1980. By 1/20, Freeman was named in lawsuits of abuse of at least seven minors.