Accused Priest Stands To Inherit $2 Million; SNAP Responds
(For Immediate Release August 11, 2022)
Despite the protests of her relatives, an Erie County court has decided that David W. Bialkowski, a Catholic priest suspected of sexually assaulting minors, can spend a dead parishioner's $2 million fortune as he pleases.
We echo the statement of counsel representing the family, "Just as he apparently 'groomed' young boys, he has become the sole beneficiary under the will of a wealthy elderly widow," attorney Sean A. Fitzgerald, a court-appointed guardian representing relatives of Peters, said of Bialkowski in court records. “The methods of grooming (a) boy or teenager are the same as the methods of exercising undue influence over a person.”
As we see it, Bialkowski does not deserve stability in his life, and yet, he barricades what he believes is rightfully his, adding a grieving family to his list of alleged victims. We also applaud the attorney representing two men who claim Bialkowski abused them as children. A motion has been filed asking the court to freeze the funds until their Child Victims Act lawsuits are resolved, which are stayed by a state judge while the Diocese of Buffalo is in bankruptcy proceedings.
It is no surprise to us to learn of Bialkowski’s greed. He denied accusations that date back to 2011, quiet and content on his leave of absence until he found his pearl. It takes a morally bankrupt person to befriend a parishioner in hopes of monetary gain. If he had any ounce of decency, he would relinquish all rights to the $2 million.
We hope the Judge hearing the motion to place these funds in escrow can see the greed and dirty hands in this case and makes the right decision to not allow Bialkowski these funds.
CONTACTS: Mike McDonnell, SNAP Communications Manager ([email protected], 267-261-0578), Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director ([email protected], 517-974-9009)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for more than 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
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
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