BUFFALO, N.Y. – A group that assists victims of sexual abuse is demanding more from the Diocese of Buffalo.
The organization Road to Recovery is calling on the Diocese to release the names of all credibly accused clergymen its aware of.
Over weeks of reporting, both victims and those who help victims, have called for the same transparency.
Sunday morning, the non-profit Road to Recovery renewed its own call, made first in early March, for the Diocese of Buffalo to release publicly a list of names and information about all clergymen accused of sexual abuse.
"Five and a half years it has taken Bishop Malone to even begin to recognize the necessity for releasing files and names,” said Dr. Robert Hoatson, president of the non-profit.
By phone, the Diocese director of communications, George Richest, said "The idea of a list is under serious consideration,” a sentiment Bishop Richard Malone also expressed on Friday.
"You can expect some news on that next week,” Bishop Malone said.
But again, Dr. Robert Hoatson of Road to Recovery wants more than just names; he wants case files, too.
"We want to know who the negligent supervisors were. If he inherited a policy of secrecy and coverup, well that means that perhaps other bishops who preceded him were the ones who hid these priests, who took the information and put them in secret archives,” Hoatson said.
Recently, the Diocese of Buffalo announced a compensation fund, encouraging victims to come forward. On Friday, Bishop Malone said many people are already doing so.
But Hoatson says it's all about image and assets.
"If Catholics stopped the money trail, this problem would be over,” Hoatson said.
On claim settlements, the diocese says it has paid out $1.2 million over the past two decades, but a Buffalo News report details a single $1.5 million dollar settlement to a victim in 2016.
We asked the diocese about this discrepancy, and Richert acknowledged the hefty settlement, saying the diocese has insurance that helps pay some of these settlements too.