Agents from the FBI’s Buffalo field office have arrested Paul Lubienecki in connection to a death threat made against 7 Eyewitness News investigative reporter Charlie Specht. Lubienecki appeared in federal court in downtown Buffalo on Wednesday afternoon; he was charged with cyberstalking. He is an adjunct professor at Christ the King Seminary and is listed … Read more
Bishop Richard J. Malone on Sunday flew back from the Vatican, where he met with Pope Francis and where rumors swirled about his possible resignation. But the embattled bishop, whose handling of sexual abuse claims has led to investigations by the FBI, the State Attorney General’s Office and the Vatican, ducked out a side exit … Read more
The 7 Eyewitness News I-Team has obtained a secret document that is raising questions about whether the Diocese of Buffalo is hiding or diverting money in anticipation of abuse lawsuits and bankruptcy. The document — presented at a recent Catholic Charities meeting — is a plan for the organization’s 2020 Appeal, which would be conducted … Read more
‘Stand up and do something,’ Catholics say Where are all the “good priests” in the Diocese of Buffalo? And at a time of unprecedented crisis, why aren’t they speaking out against Bishop Richard J. Malone like so many of their parishioners wish they would? Those are two questions at the front of Kevin Koscielniak’s mind. … Read more
Secret recording shows Malone tried to cover-up claims of sexual harassment by a diocesan priest It’s the morning of Friday, Aug. 2, and Bishop Richard J. Malone hasn’t slept for two nights. “We are in a true crisis situation,” Malone said. “True crisis. And everyone in the office is convinced this could be the end … Read more
Sexual abuse survivors say Bishop Richard J. Malone is out of touch with the community. They cite a new 8-foot fence surrounding his mansion, which they have dubbed “Fort Malone”. It’s a fence that, according to City of Buffalo inspectors, appears to be in violation of the city’s building code and may need to be … Read more
The mother of a seminarian wants to know why Bishop Richard J. Malone is allowing a Cheektowaga pastor to remain in ministry despite allegations of inappropriate contact with children, harassment of a seminarian and perhaps the greatest Catholic sin of all: violating the seal of confession. Those were the allegations brought months ago against … Read more
When Father Joseph Gatto last month was added to the list of more than 100 priests in Buffalo who stand accused of sexual misconduct, many Catholics were stunned. Gatto won praise and popularity as a dynamic priest with stirring homilies, and some thought he would someday wear a bishop’s hat. Gatto was promoted by … Read more
What happened to Bishop Malone’s promise to be more transparent? A confidential investigative report obtained Friday by 7 Eyewitness News from Christ the King seminary confirms multiple seminarians came forward recently to report misbehavior by Diocese of Buffalo priests . Reeling from the fallout, officials at the seminary have undertaken a full-scale “leak investigation” that involves interrogations … Read more
Bishop Richard J. Malone on Thursday returned a priest to active ministry despite a history of pornography problems and a looming federal investigation that may involve the priest. Malone returned Rev. Robert A. Stolinski to “active ministry,” the diocese said in a statement, after abuse allegations against him “have not been substantiated.” But the bishop’s … Read more