Charge Names Ex-Principal of Canisius

Buffalo News
November 22, 2003

A Jesuit priest suspended last week after a complaint of sexual abuse did not have any allegations of misconduct against him related to his tenure at Canisius High School.

The New York Province of the Society of Jesus suspended the Rev. John Costello from teaching and performing priestly duties while it investigates.

Costello served as principal at Canisius from 1989 to 1992. He was most recently teaching at McQuaid High School in Brighton, a Rochester suburb.

He was accused of sexual contact in 1979 with a student while he was teaching at Regis High School in Manhattan, said the Rev. Dick Galligan, associate provincial.

The province first became aware of the allegation about two weeks ago, when the accuser reported it to Regis High School. No other complaints have been lodged against Costello, Galligan said.