Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The Buffalo Catholic Diocese says it has placed a priest on administrative leave after receiving word of a complaint of abuse through the Child Victims Act.
The diocese says it received a complaint from a person who said Msgr. James Kelly abused him as a child 15 years ago. The complaint has been filed anonymously and was not served on the diocese but was discovered during a recent search of publicly filed complaints.
The diocese says in a statement it notified the Erie County District Attorney's office, reached out to the attorney for the plaintiff, and confronted Msgr. Kelly, who denied committing any acts of abuse. The Ddiocese also reported the matter to the Independent Review Board which will be responsible for appointing an independent investigator.
The diocese says because the plaintiff did not file a complaint with the Diocese's Victim Assistance Coordinator, the diocese reached out to the plaintiff's attorney to determine whether the plaintiff is willing to cooperate with an investigation and provide all relevant details related to the allegations. While the diocese was awaiting a response, another anonymous complaint filed today by a plaintiff alleging that he was abused in the early 1980's by Msgr. Kelly.
As a result, Bishop Michael Fisher has decided to place Msgr. Kelly on administrative leave pending a thorough investigation by the appointed independent investigator and a final determination by the Independent Review Board. Fisher notes this does not indicate veracity or falsehood of the accusations.
