Fr. Leo F. McCarthy

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

Monsignor. Accused in a lawsuit filed under the NY Child Victims Act of sexually abusing a girl, age 12, at St. Matthew’s in 1982. Placed on leave in 7/21 pending investigation. McCarthy allegedly asked the girl to help him out at the church, showed her pornography, forced her to sit on his lap, and “had sex” with her multiple times. She is said to have told a teacher, who did nothing, and was later expelled for reporting the allegations. She told her mother about McCarthy’s behavior after the mother suspected the girl was pregnant. McCarthy denied abusing the girl. In 5/22 the diocese announced that its Review Board found that the allegation was unsubstantiated. McCarthy was reinstated.


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