Buffalo DA Clears Bishop’s Aide

You are not signed in as a Premium user; you are viewing the free version of this program. Premium users have access to full-length programs with limited commercials and receive a 10% discount in the store! Sign up for only one day for the low cost of $1.99. Click the button below.

See All Plans

CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO

TRANSCRIPT

The bishop's aide in the scandal-ridden diocese of Buffalo is getting a pass from the local district attorney over allegations of grooming boys for sex.

Father Peter Karalus, who was appointed vicar general in 2018 by Buffalo's disgraced former Bp. Richard Malone, was recently accused of making what Erie County DA John Flynn calls "creepy" remarks to a 16-year-old boy during a confession in 2011.

According to Wednesday's report by The Buffalo News, Flynn said the incident "could not be prosecuted because it falls outside the statute of limitations" and "the remark attributed to this priest does not rise to the level we would need for criminal prosecution."

Karalus previously claimed his comments were either "misunderstood" or "misinterpreted" because "over my many years of ministry, I have learned common responses of advice and guidance to offer penitents."

But that's not what his former parishioners at St. John Paul II parish say.

In 2012, concerned parishioners asked the late Fr. Joe Moreno to draft a letter to then-U.S. papal nuncio Abp. Carlo Maria Viganò, warning him that Karalus was sexually grooming their boys.

Moreno drafted a letter to Viganò relating their concerns that Karalus "is gay and trying [to] entice younger boys and teenagers into relationships with him."

Moreno's letter unfortunately never made it to the papal nuncio as Moreno died two months later with two bullet holes to the head — a death that Flynn later ruled a suicide.

--- Campaign 31538 ---

Have a news tip? Submit news to our tip line.

We rely on you to support our news reporting. Please donate today.