Buffalo Leak further exposes Bishop Malone as Complicit

Statement regarding the exposure of secret archives in Buffalo

For immediate release, September 25, 2018

Zach Hiner, Executive Director, zhiner@SNAPnetwork.org, (517) 974-9009 

Today’s revelations from CNN regarding secret records of abuse in the Diocese of Buffalo underscore exactly why we believe it is critical that all states empanel independent investigations into cases of institutional abuse.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/25/us/buffalo-bishop-catholic-diocese-sex-abuse/index.html 

New York state has already begun this process – as have at least eleven other states – and we encourage Attorneys General nationwide to begin investigations of their own. Only through independent investigations by law enforcement can the whole truth be exposed.

Based on today’s report, it is clear that Bishop Malone knowingly endangered parishioners in his diocese and as such should step aside until the current investigation is complete. We applaud the brave whistleblower who risked their livelihood by sharing these secret records with the public in order to ensure that a full investigation can take place, and we encourage others who may have knowledge of current or former cover-ups to come forward in order to protect children and families in their own communities.

New York state currently has a hotline open that survivors of abuse can call to share their story and we encourage anyone who has experienced abuse in their life to call this hotline today.

NY Hotline number for victims and survivors:  800-771-7755  all calls are confidential

(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org) 

Contact: Zach Hiner, zhiner@SNAPnetwork.org, (517) 974-9009,   Tim Lennon, 415-312-5820  tlennon@snapnetwork.org, Melanie Sakoda 925-708-6175, melanie.sakoda@gmail.com