Retired priest admits to sexually abusing boys
By WGRZ, February 28, 2018
BUFFALO, NY - A retired priest from Western New York has admitted to The Buffalo News that he sexually abused dozens of boys.
Reverend Norbert Orsolits told the paper the sexual encounters with teenage boys occurred during the 1970s and '80s.
He admitted to what he did after a South Buffalo man said he abused him four decades ago, roughly around the year 1980. When 2 On Your Side reached him by phone on Wednesday evening, Orsolits refused to answer any questions and referred all inquiries to the Diocese of Buffalo. When asked if he felt remorse for the abuse he admitted to in The Buffalo News, Orsolits would not answer the question.
Orsolits' behavior came to light on Tuesday, when 52-year-old Michael Whalen gave the following account to reporters in Buffalo: "He took me up to his cabin in Springville where the abuse took place. He got me out there on the means of going skiing at Kissing Bridge. And I just want everyone to know that this means a lot to me and to my family and if there's any other victims of Father Norb, to step forward."
Orsolits did not specifically recall Whalen in his interview with the newspaper, but he did not deny abusing him. He also told The Buffalo News he was sent to Canada for treatment at one point.
The Catholic Diocese removed Orsolits from ministry in 2003, a spokesperson confirmed.
The Diocese released the following statement Tuesday:
"Since 1990, the Diocese of Buffalo has had policies to address sexual abuse. Every complaint that we receive is addressed pursuant to a protocol that is designed both to protect children and to respond to victims. We will have more to say about these important issues later this week. We will not comment on these particular complaints except to note that Fr. Norbert Orsolits was removed from ministry in 2003 and that Fr. Robert Conlin died in 1997.”
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director
Showing 1 comment