Fr. Michael J. Harrington

Ordained: 1942
Status: Sued

Died: 12/19/1989
Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

Included 3/20/18 on the diocese’s list as removed, retired, or having left ministry after allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. Died in 1989; diocesan list includes deceased priests only if they have more than one allegation. Pastor for 25 years of Immaculate Conception in Buffalo. Monsignor. Retired in 1995. In 8/19 a man filed suit, claiming Harrington fondled him as a 10-year-old altar boy in 1965 on a trip to New York City. He said the abuse took place in a hotel while Harrington bathed him. Bishop McNulty was on the boys paper route, and the boy reportedly told the bishop about the abuse. He said McNulty said he’d “take care of it” and gave the boy a generous tip. Another man had a similar story of abuse by Harrington at about age 12, during a trip to Montreal. The man said Harrington regularly took altar boys with him on trips. Accused in a suit filed in 9/19 of abuse of a boy, starting at age 10, 1978-81. By 8/21 there were 17 lawsuits filed under the NY Child Victims Act with accusations against Harrington.


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