Fr. Paul J. Kowalewski
Assigned to parishes in South Buffalo, Buffalo and Tonawanda. Left the Catholic priesthood in 1976, married in 1979. Accused in a 7/2019 lawsuit of sexually abusing children and at least one adult; was reportedly sent to Canada for treatment. One woman said he raped her when he was a seminarian and she was 19 in 1971 at St. Amelia’s in Tonawanda. Another claimed he sexually abused her beginning when she was age 16 and attending St. Amelia’s. Associate pastor at a United Methodist church in the mid-1980s and Protestant chaplain at Syracuse U. in the late 1980s. Became an Episcopalian priest in 1990. Moved to CA. Rector of a church and school in L.A. 2005-2013. Active Episcopal priest at a Palm Springs parish in 7/2019. Kowaleski was reportedly suspended by his Episcopal bishop in 2019 due to the allegations and lawsuit. Included in 1/2022 on the Buffalo diocese’s list of credibly accused.
Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.
Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.