DAN ORZECHOWSKI and SETH MICHAEL MEYER
News Editor and Assistant News Editor
A list of 42 priests who have been accused of sexual conduct with minors was released on March 20 by Bishop Richard J. Malone.
On that list is the Rev. Edward J. Walker, who served as dean of the Catholic clergy of northern Chautauqua County. He was also appointed papal chamberlain by Pope John XXIII in 1953, and served as the Fredonia Newman Club’s chaplain for 12 years.
In a statement regarding the list of priests, the Buffalo Diocese said the list “identifies diocesan priests who were removed from ministry, were retired or left ministry after allegations of sexual abuse of a minor.”
Included on the list are names of deceased priests who have had multiple allegations made against them. Priests who have only faced a single allegation were left off the list.
Walker had been a Catholic priest for 65 years in western New York.
While acting as chaplain for Fredonia’s Newman Center, Walker was also the pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish (also in Fredonia). As reported by the Dunkirk Observer, Walker held tenure at St. Joseph’s until he “abruptly” left in 1965.
According to his obituary in the Buffalo News, Walker, a Buffalo native, was a graduate of South Park High School, Canisius College and Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University in Olean. He died in 2002, at the age of 95.
“This list has likely triggered feelings of great distress and even betrayal,” Malone said. “I share those emotions. Please know that your priests feel the same way … all our priests are greatly distressed.”
Although the list is comprised of 42 names, unanswered questions still remain.
Back in 2004, Syracuse Bishop Robert Cunningham said there were 53 priests accused of sexual misconduct since 1950. According to George Richert, a spokesman for the diocese, the 11 names missing from the new list belonged to religious orders, and that the diocese is “not intending to release more information than the names.”
The list from the diocese doesn’t include where and when abuse happened — only the names of priests are provided.
Last week, the diocese removed Rev. Dennis Riter from ministry at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton R.C. Church in Dunkirk following sexual abuse allegations. Bishop Malone said the diocese acted immediately and “engaged in protocol,” which is shared by bishops across the U.S.
Malone lobbied earlier this week in Albany against the Child Victims Act, a bill that would provide a one-year window time to revive old cases. The Catholic church and the Boy Scouts of America have both said this bill would force organizations to defend themselves in cases with alleged abusers who have been retired or dead for years — something that would be “toxic” for the Catholic church, according to Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan.