Fr. Gerard A. Smyczynski

Ordained: 1980
Status: Settled

Died: 08/12/1999
Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

Named publicly by the Diocese on its 3/20/2018 list as removed, retired, or having left ministry after allegations of the sexual abuse of a minor. Faculties were removed in 1985. Smyczynski died in 1999 (age 45 or 46); the diocesan list includes deceased priests only if they have more than one allegation. Reportedly, there was a small settlement with an alleged victim. A lawsuit filed in 1/2020 claims abuse of an altar boy, age 10, in the mid-1980s, and cover-up by then Vicar General and later Erie PA Bishop Donald Trautman. The Erie diocese was dropped from suit, as reported in 7/2020.


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