Fr. Norbert F. Orsolits

Ordained: 1965
Status: Settled

Died: 03/25/2021
Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

Suspended in 2003. Admitted in 2/2018 he abused “probably dozens” of adolescent boys in late 1970s-early 1980s. A man said Orsolits abused him during a ski trip in 1979 or 1980 at age 13 or 14. Orsoiits said he was sent to Canada for treatment in the 1980s by Bishop Head, after which he was reassigned, including as a teacher at Walsh High School. His name was included on the Diocese’s list 3/20/2018. A lawsuit filed in 8/2019 under the NY Child Victims Act claimed abuse of a 13- or 14-year-old in 1968. Orsolits was moved to another parish after the boy’s parents complained. Another suit alleged abuse of a boy in the early- to mid-1970s. Orsolits was removed from the diocesan payroll 5/1/2020 in a bankruptcy agreement. A asuit in 6/2020 against the Boy Scouts alleged abuse in 1966 by Orsolits, who was a Scout leader. By 8/2021 there were 20 slawuits filed under the NY Child Victims Act naming Orsolits. He died 3/25/2021.

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