Allegations Exposed Against Former Auxiliary Bishop Edward Grosz

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BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) Former Auxiliary Bishop Edward M. Grosz on Monday became the highest clergyman in the Diocese of Buffalo to be charged with child sexual abuse.

The alleged victim, who is identified in the lawsuit with a pseudonym of John Doe, has filed a lawsuit in the New York State Supreme Court, alleging abuse by Bishop Grosz and the father. Richard Keppeler.

In allegations first reported by The Buffalo News, Grosz is accused of mistreating the 15-year-old boy in 1990 when he was confirmed at St. Brigid’s Church in Genesee County.

At a press conference on Tuesday, attorney Steve Boyd said as the boy approached the altar for his confirmation, Grosz was overheard making a point to Keppeler.

Bishop Grosz was heard saying to Keppeler, Oh Dick, you were right about this one. Looks like he could be in GQ Magazine, Boyd said.

The boy’s grandmother reportedly told the head of Diocese Number Two not to touch her grandson.

They saw him fiddle with it. They didn’t know the extent of what had happened, Boyd said. But the grandmother got involved with the bishop at a reception where Bishop Grosz appeared to be constantly by this boy’s side with his hands on him.

The man began to consider coming forward in 2019, when he read a response to victims of clergy abuse from then-bishop Richard Malone, which he found offensive.

Other abuse survivors had similar stories of their dealings with Grosz when they called the diocese to report their abuse.

But he never apologized, when he called me he just told me there was nothing I could do, said abuse survivor Michael Whalen whose story sparked the sex abuse scandal in the Diocese of Buffalo.

In a statement read by attorney Steve Boyd, the victim said: My family has been aware of the inappropriate contact with Bishop Grosz since it happened 31 years ago. I first told my mom the full extent of this interaction 13 years ago. I am ready now, with the support of my family and my lawyers, to let the legal process take its course.

In March 2018, Keppeler was placed on the list of priests in dioceses with well-founded allegations of child abuse. Monday’s trial is the seventh case filed under the New York Child Victims Act identifying Bro. Keppeler as a child sex abuser.

Grosz retired in March 2020 but still exercises limited sacramental ministries, according to the diocese.

The Priest Abuse Survivors Network released a statement saying in part: We find it very concerning that for many years Bishop Grosz has played a key role in addressing complaints of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Buffalo. We fear that it is possible that many cases were treated badly by the prelate.

The 7 Eyewitness News I-Team news asked the diocese for an interview with Bishop Grosz, but was told that Bishop Grosz has indicated that he will not conduct any interviews.

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