Fr. Paul J. Kowalewski

Ordained: 1973
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

Assigned to parishes in South Buffalo, Buffalo and Tonawanda. Left the Catholic priesthood in 1976, married in 1979. Accused in a 7/19 lawsuit of sexually abusing children and at least one adult; was reportedly sent to Canada for treatment. One woman said he raped her at age19 in 1971 at St. Amelia’s in Tonawanda, as a seminarian. Another claimed he sexually abuse 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. 2005-13. Active Episcopal priest at a Palm Springs parish in 7/19. Included in 1/22 on the Buffalo diocese’s list of credibly accused.


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