Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Former Leader of the Buffalo Diocese, Bishop Richard Malone, is overseeing confirmation ceremonies again, despite resigning over four years ago.
Whistleblower and former Executive Assistant for Malone, Siobhan O'Connor explained that she was shocked and "deeply disturbed" to find out that he was doing ceremonies again in Buffalo. She stated that for many survivors, seeing someone, like Malone, can trigger past feelings and emotion associated with their trauma. However, she believes Malone doesn't care about this.
"I have been hearing some people in different parts of the diocese that Bishop Malone was celebrating the confirmation at their parishes, and that was a surprise to me. But, I was really shocked that he would be the one presiding at the ceremonies at St. Greg's. That's the largest church in our diocese and so many students are there. Sadly, it just shows to me that Bishop Malone is still thinking of himself, first and foremost, and what's best for him, and what he wants to do, instead of thinking of what's good for the people of our diocese," stated O'Connor in an interview with WBEN.
One of the survivors, Mike Whalen, expressed his disgust over Malone returning and find it insulting that the diocese approved him to oversee the ceremonies, despite already being retired.
"I just think they're trying to be cocky about it. They can do whatever they want and there's no consequences. They can do anything they want and nobody's going to hold them accountable. We tried. I tried by telling my story about the evils in this diocese and here they are, just flaunting it in our faces," Whalen said with WBEN. "Every survivor that's out there should be offended by this - that he's able to do that."