Former Batavia priest put on administrative leave after allegation of abuse | Local News

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BUFFALO A well-known Catholic priest with ties to Batavia has been put on administrative leave, officials from the Diocese of Buffalo have said.

The Diocese of Buffalo recently became aware of a lawsuit brought under the Child Victims Act by a person alleging that she was abused as a child in the early 1980s at St. Matthew’s Parish by the Reverend Mgr. Leo McCarthy.

McCarthy, 88, is retired but has continued to help with parish ministry. His tenure included approximately 12 years as head of the former St. Josephs Parish in Batavia.

The complaint was not legally served on the diocese. It was discovered during a recent search for publicly filed complaints.

After learning of the complaint, the diocese notified the Erie County prosecutor’s office, contacted the complainant’s attorney, and confronted Bishop. McCarthy, who has denied committing acts of abuse, according to the diocese. The diocese also reported the matter to the independent review committee which will be responsible for appointing an independent investigator.

Since the complainant did not file a complaint with the Diocese’s Victim Assistance Coordinator, the diocese contacted the complainant’s lawyer to determine if she was prepared to cooperate with an investigation and provide all relevant details related to the allegations.

The legal counsel for the diocese was advised that the applicant did not want to cooperate with the investigation.

As a result, Bishop Michael W. Fisher has decided to put McCarthy on administrative leave pending a full investigation by the appointed independent investigator and a final decision by the independent review committee, a statement from the diocese said. Bishop Fisher wishes to point out that the decision to restrict Msgr. McCarthy’s priestly faculties at present are in no way intended to indicate his guilt or to determine the veracity or falsity of the complaints.

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