On July 24, 2019, the Independent Review Board met and carefully considered the reports of investigator Scott F. Riordan who was asked to investigate allegations of abuse against three priests of the Diocese of Buffalo.

In the Diocese of Buffalo, all adults who work with youth or vulnerable persons are required to attend a Protecting God's Children® Workshop.

Fair and objective reporting is essential to accurate coverage of controversial issues such as the crisis involving past child abuse in our diocese. Impartiality aids accuracy. Recent media attacks by a television reporter alleging that the diocese has not "come clean about the true scope" of the sexual abuse that occurred in this diocese are simply not accurate.

The subject of child sexual abuse is one that rightfully has been the focus of intense media attention in recent years. It is a problem that, unfortunately, extends far beyond the Diocese of Buffalo and far beyond the Church. Yet despite the intense media coverage, many of the important facts regarding the scourge of child sexual abuse and the response of the Church and our diocese are either unmentioned or misstated in the news. I write today to correct some of those errors.

Today at the Vatican, Pope Francis and the presidents of every Episcopal Conference from around the world are gathering to begin an unprecedented summit meeting to discuss the sexual abuse crisis within the Church.

The following statement was released by the Catholic bishops of New York state following the passage of the Child Victims Act. For more, visit http://www.nyscatholic.org

The Diocese of Buffalo has established the Adult Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Task Force. The group will review and recommend policies and procedures for assessing and responding to allegations of sexual misconduct with adults by priests, deacons, religious and lay employees. The Task Force will ensure that the diocesan policies for adult abuse and misconduct complement the existing diocesan policy on child abuse. In addition, the Task Force will review the investigation framework of sexual abuse allegations to ensure compliance with federal and state law, canon law, and the Diocese of Buffalo Code of Conduct to ensure the protection of all of God's people.

My column will be brief this month, as I want to leave space for an important statement from the priests who serve our diocese as vicars or members of the Presbyteral Council.

The Presbyteral Council and the Vicars Forane met with Bishop Richard Malone on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. The priests committed themselves to work together with Bishop Malone to move forward in the healing process of the victims of clergy sexual abuse, the healing of the divisions within our diocese, and hope-filled steps towards the spiritual renewal and healing of our brother priests and all in our diocese. With these goals in mind, the following actions steps are being initiated:

On December 20, 2018, the independent Diocesan Review Board met and carefully considered the report of Investigator Scott F. Riordan who was asked to investigate an allegation of clerical sexual abuse of a minor against Father Ronald P. Sajdak of the Diocese of Buffalo.

On December 13, 2018, the Diocesan Review Board met and carefully considered the reports of Investigator Scott F. Riordan who was asked to investigate allegations of abuse against four priests of the Diocese of Buffalo.

After receiving a complaint of sexual misconduct with an adult female, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Father Samuel T. Giangreco Jr. on administrative leave as an investigation continues.

The Diocese of Buffalo has announced four new members of the Diocesan Review Board (DRB) - Lee Coppola, John F. Coyne, M.D., Hon. Salvatore R. Martoche and Sister Mary McCarrick, OSF. The DRB advises Bishop Richard J. Malone in his assessment of allegations of child or vulnerable adult sexual abuse.

After enduring several months of controversy and anger over his decisions about handling sexual abuse cases within the Diocese of Buffalo, Bishop Richard J. Malone responded to a recent story by WKBW-TV about his history in his former diocese in Portland, Maine.

Bishop Richard J. Malone said there are no priests currently in ministry that he is aware of with credible allegations against them. He also addressed plans expand current abuse safeguards to protect adults as well as minors. The bishop spoke with media on Nov. 5, to answer concerns regarding sexual abuse by members of local clergy. The bishop, along with chancery staff, explained the history of abuse, steps taken to prevent it, and the diocesan compensation program for victims.

On Nov. 5, 2018, the Diocese of Buffalo released another list of priests with substantiated claims of sexual abuse of a minor. This is in addition to the original list published in March 2018. Priests who received a single allegation after their death are not included. Death dates for diocesan priests are in parenthesis.

After receiving abuse complaints against Msgr. Frederick R. Leising and Father Ronald P. Sajdak, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Msgr. Leising and Father Sajdak on administrative leave as an investigation continues.

As we move through this extremely difficult time in the Church's history, at the forefront of my mind each day and foremost in my prayers are all victims who have suffered at the hands of clergy they trusted. My heart hurts and I share in the anger, grief and disappointment felt by so many. This crisis has shaken our community of believers to its core. But as Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, "With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible." Those words couldn't be truer. We as human beings are completely inept to do anything on our own, but with God, there is hope.

After receiving an abuse complaint against Father Michael P. Juran, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Father Juran on administrative leave as an investigation continues.

The following is the statement Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo released to "60 Minutes" in advance of their upcoming story on the Diocese of Buffalo. The diocese also released it to the public.

After receiving an abuse complaint against Father Louis S. Dolinic, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Father Dolinic on administrative leave as an investigation continues.

In the wake of the priest abuse scandal that has shaken the Diocese of Buffalo, Bishop Richard J. Malone held a Holy Hour of Reparation and Healing "to apologize deeply and sincerely to all who have been victimized by clergy or other Church ministers." The Sept. 30 gathering took place at 3 p.m., Mercy Hour, at St. Joseph Cathedral.

At an Aug. 26 news conference, Bishop Richard J. Malone announced that the Diocese of Buffalo would establish a new Office of Professional Responsibility. Its mission would be to review the Diocesan Code of Conduct, strengthen it wherever necessary, and enforce it.

Yesterday afternoon, the diocese received a complaint against Father Joseph C. Gatto involving an alleged sexual advance made on an adult. Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Father Gatto on administrative leave as an investigation continues.

After receiving an abuse complaint against Father Ronald B. Mierzwa, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Father Mierzwa on administrative leave as an investigation continues.

After receiving an abuse complaint against Father John J. Sardina, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Father Sardina on administrative leave as an investigation continues. This administrative leave is for the purpose of investigation and does not imply any determination as to the truth or falsity of the complaint.

It is important that I once again address the topic which has caused so much pain for so many. You do not need me to remind you that grave sins and crimes committed by a small percentage of clergy have had wide-ranging and long-lasting effects both here in our diocese and in the worldwide Church. I am convinced that the best way to respond to complaints of past abuse and to restore trust in the Church and her clergy is to be as open and as transparent as reasonably possible in addressing the complaints and taking action against offending priests.

After receiving a new abuse complaint against Father Robert Yetter, Bishop Richard J. Malone has asked for and received the resignation of Father Yetter as pastor of St Mary's of Swormville. Father Yetter has also been placed on administrative leave as an investigation continues. Please note that this administrative leave is for the purpose of investigation and does not imply any determination as to the truth or falsity of the complaint.

On Sunday afternoon Bishop Richard J. Malone outlined new actions to handle cases of clerical sexual abuse against both children and adults.

The following is a statement from Bishop Richard J. Malone which was read to the faith community of St. Mary of Swormville:

The Diocese of Buffalo has released the following update regarding priests placed on administrative leave:

After receiving an abuse complaint against Rev. Mark J. Wolski, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Father Wolski on administrative leave as an investigation continues. Please note that this administrative leave is for the purpose of investigation and does not imply any determination as to the truth or falsity of the complaint.

After receiving an abuse complaint against Fr. Arthur S. Smith, of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Depew, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Father Smith on administrative leave as an investigation continues. Bishop Malone has also placed Rev. Samuel J. Venne on administrative leave after receiving an abuse complaint. Fr. Venne is a retired priest serving at St. Stephen's Parish on Grand Island.

The following list identifies diocesan priests who were removed from ministry, were retired, or left ministry after allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. This list also includes deceased priests with more than one allegation made against them.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has announced the establishment of a voluntary Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP) for those who have made claims that they were sexually abused as a child by a member of the clergy in the Diocese of Buffalo. Individuals who have previously made claims will be contacted and invited to participate in this voluntary program offering monetary settlements.