Alleged Sexual Predator Priest Identified in NY Seminary

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (ChurchMilitant.com) - Another bombshell has dropped in the ongoing scandal investigation of the diocese of Buffalo, New York.

In the wake of the suspension of three priests for alcohol-fueled inappropriate behavior involving Christ the King seminarians, WKBW is reporting Rev. Jeffery L. Nowak — a pastor at the diocese's Our Lady Help of Christians in Cheektowaga, New York — is the subject of an investigation for alleged sexual misconduct.

The television station received an email from Buffalo diocese Communications Director Kathy Spangler, in which she wrote: "A preliminary inquiry has been initiated concerning allegations of inappropriate behavior/unwanted contact."

Nowak's name is redacted in a confidential seminary document obtained by WKBW and subsequently released online. [Caution: graphic details and obscene language]

The Christ the King document provides accounts of the gathering as related by seminarian whistleblowers. WKBW revealed Nowak's identity as a priest who made unwanted sexual advances toward other priests on at least two occasions:

Comments were made about Rev. Jeffrey Nowak and how he latched on to [priest — name redacted] when he was at Christ the King Seminary and Rev. Jeffrey Nowak wanting [priest — name redacted] to admit to something," states a document that describes notes compiled by seminarians who attended the Hamburg priest party. He told [priest — name redacted] that he had already done his research with him and that he knows everything about him so he mine [sic] as well just tell him because he already knows everything about him. [Priest — name redacted] asked Father Jeffrey Nowak to leave him alone as he had latched onto him and it made him feel uncomfortable. [Priest — name redacted] has not talked with Rev. Jeffrey Nowak since cutting off ties.

Prompted by this story, other priests in attendance discussed two other instances of predatory behavior alleged by Nowak.

The television station reports Nowak was ordained in 2012 at Christ the King Seminary, and he received his first pastorate at Cheektowaga in 2018. From 2015 to 2017, he was canonical administrator at the now-closed Mary Queen of Angels School in Cheektowaga.

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