Monsignor Michael Harrington
Ordained: 1942
Removed: 2018
Died: 1989
Assigned as follows:
- 1943 St. Augustine; The Assumption (South Jacksonville, FL)
- 1944-1949 Our Lady of the Rosary (Niagara Falls, NY)
- 1950 The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin (Buffalo, NY)
- 1951 Our Lady of the Perpetual Help (Buffalo, NY)
- 1952-1954 St. Francis Xavier's (Buffalo, NY)
- 1955-1959 St. Thomas Aquinas (Buffalo, NY)
- 1960 St. Margaret (Buffalo, NY)
- 1961-1988 Immaculate Conception (Buffalo, NY)
Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Monsignor Michael Harrington:
Monsignor Michael Harrington was the pastor of Immaculate Conception in Buffalo for 25 years. He was also director of the Catholic Information Center, a storefront on Delaware Avenue that served people interested in learning about Catholicism.
According to media reports, in August 2019, a man filed a civil lawsuit accusing Monsignor Harrington of fondling him when he was a 10-year-old altar boy in 1965, while on a trip to New York City. He said the abuse took place while Monsignor Harrington was bathing him in the hotel room. The man said he told Bishop McNulty, who was on his paper route, about the abuse. He said Bishop McNulty said he'd "take care of it" and gave the boy a generous tip.
Another man came forward with a similar allegation of abuse by Monsignor Harrington at about age 12, while on a trip to Montreal. The man said Monsignor Harrington regularly took altar boys with him on trips.
"At the time he chose me to do this, I thought it was an honor," he said. "It turned out to be something different," the man said.
In March 2018, Monsignor Harrington's name was included in the Diocese of Buffalo's list of priests who "were removed from ministry, were retired, or left ministry after allegations of sexual abuse of a minor." The list includes deceased priests only if they have more than one allegation. Monsignor Harrington retired and died in 1989.
In 2020, Fr. Harrington was named in another lawsuit against the Diocese of Buffalo. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor. The details of the sexual abuse allegations, including when and where the alleged abuse occurred, or the victim's age/gender, are unknown.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Buffalo and throughout New York. The Diocese of Buffalo filed for federal bankruptcy protection in February 2020. Anyone sexually abused by a priest or employee of the Diocese of Buffalo may be entitled to file a claim against the Diocese in these bankruptcy proceedings, but very strict filing deadlines apply. Most victims of abuse in the Diocese of Buffalo will never be able to take action against the Diocese of Buffalo if they miss this bankruptcy filing deadline, so it is important that you contact us immediately to discuss your potential case.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your legal options today.