Father Michael Volino
Diocese of Rochester
Ordained: 1992
Arrested: 2005
Administrative leave: 2005
Assigned as follows:
- St. John the Evangelist Church, Greece, NY
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Michael Volino:
When Father Michael Volino brought his computer to a technician for repair in 2005, the Diocese of Rochester priest likely did not realize that act would lead to a conviction of child pornography.
The child pornography was discovered by a technology specialist at the Diocese of Rochester who was repairing Volino’s computer. Upon discovering the material, officials at the Diocese then contacted authorities.
FBI officials found over 600 images of child pornography on Volino’s computer, some including children between the ages of 10-12. Additionally, Volino had frequented many sites with names that obviously suggested that graphic pictures of underage boys would be found.
Volino admitted to possessing the material in his interview with FBI agents, and stated that he had sexual issues for which he was seeking professional help for approximately three years. The priest stated that he had told his counselor about his desire to view sexually explicit pictures of boys younger than eighteen years old.
He also admitted that, concurrent with the counseling, he had continued to view images of boys under the age of 18 years, knowing that it was wrong.
Counselors Recommended Restrictions
In 2002, counselors at a Maryland psychiatric center for priests recommended to the Diocese of Rochester that Volino should be restricted from ministry involving children. They also cautioned against allowing Volino to work in schools and recommended that he have no unsupervised contact with children.
These recommendations apparently did not deter the Diocese of Rochester from permitting Volino to continue as a practicing priest within the Monroe County community.
Volino pleaded guilty to the charges in 2005 and was sentenced to 15 months in prison and was released in 2007. He completed his probation in 2017.
However, he is not a registered sex offender. He is believed to be residing in the Rochester, New York area.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Rochester. The Diocese of Rochester in New York filed for bankruptcy protection in 2019. Our lawyers are now offering free legal consultations to discuss a potential lawsuit and your other options as a survivor of sexual abuse by priests and other employees of the Rochester Diocese.
Very strict filing deadlines have now been set by the Bankruptcy Court. Most victims of abuse will never be able to recover damages if they miss this deadline, so please contact us to discuss your case today. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an e-mail to [email protected].