Father J. Peter Conroy
Diocese of Buffalo
Ordained: 1971
Removed: 2002
Assigned as follows:
- 1965-1968 Canisius High School (Buffalo, NY)
- 1972-1979 Fordham University (Bronx, NY)
- 1981-1984 Canisius College (Buffalo, NY)
- 1985-1994 Christ the King Retreat House (Syracuse, NY)
- 1994-2002 Canisius College (Buffalo, NY)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father J. Peter Conroy:
According to media reports, in 2002, Father J. Peter Conroy, a Jesuit priest, was removed from ministry after allegations of sexual abuse of two minor sisters were reported to the Diocese of Buffalo. The alleged abuse that involved him touching, grabbing and groping the girls occurred from 1972 to 1975, while he was assigned to Fordham University. According to one victim who was in eighth grade at the time, “his hands were all over me.”
Father Conroy, was a member of their extended family and admitted abusing the girls.
“My parents confronted him, he never denied it and said only that it happened with [us] and it never happened again,” the victim said. She went on to say that at least one other complaint was made by a young woman who encountered Father Conroy on a college campus.
After the incidents took place, Father Conroy left Fordham and was transferred to Canisius College, where he became Director of Campus Ministry. In March 2002, the family reported the abuse to the Jesuits and to the Diocese of Buffalo when one of the victims took her daughter on a college visit to Canisius and realized Father Conroy was still in ministry there. He was quickly sent to the Christ the King Retreat House, where, as of January 2019, he is still a priest.
In November 2018, Diocese of Buffalo included him on a list of priests “with substantiated claims of sexual abuse of a minor.” He was named as accused by the Jesuits in January 2019. One of the sisters filed a lawsuit against Father Conroy and the Jesuits one month later in February.
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 [email protected] to discuss your legal options today.