A Buffalo Catholic priest has been assigned to "permanent administrative leave" and is restricted from practicing priestly duties after the diocese's Independent Review Board "substantiated" an allegation of abuse.
Fr. Donald J. Lutz was ordained in 1970 and has served at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Buffalo and St. Leo the Great in Amherst, according to Horowitz Law, which is representing sexual abuse victims.
"Reverend Lutz will also be subject to the monitoring program recently implemented by Bishop Fisher for clergy with substantiated abuse claims," according to the diocese.
The statement from the diocese did not describe the allegation of abuse, but media has reported a lawsuit filed on behalf of a minor girl in the mid-1970s. Another woman has alleged abuse in the '70s, as well.
The review board also found that a claim of abuse against Fr. Paul Nogaro was "unsubstantiated." The diocese said Nogaro "will be allowed to continue in active ministry." He had served at St. Stephen’s in Grand Island, St. Mary of Sorrows and Bishop Fallon High School in Buffalo, St. Paul's in Kenmore, St. Gregory the Great in Amherst and Our Lady Help of Christians on Staten Island, according to Horowitz Law.
The recommendations for the two active priests came with substantiated claims of abuse again six other priests now deceased:
- George Brennan
- Daniel Duggan
- Ralph Federico
- Edward Kazmierczak
- Leo Reddy
- David Roche
