Father John D. Lewandowski
Diocese of Buffalo
Ordained: 1954
Died: 1982
Assigned as follows:
- 1955-1960 Unknown
- 1961 St. Joseph (Bliss, NY)
- 1962-1963 Saints Peter and Paul (Bliss, NY)
- 1964-1965 Assumption (Buffalo, NY)
- 1966 Notre Dame Du Lac Retreat House (Bemus Point, NY)
- 1967 Our Mother of Good Counsel (Blasdell, NY)
- 1968-1970 Absent on leave
- 1971-1972 Absent on sick leave
- 1973-1982 Unknown
Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Father John D. Lewandowski:
Father John D. Lewandowski was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Buffalo in 1954. He served in multiple parishes throughout his career. According to media reports, in March 2018, his name was included in the Diocese of Buffalo’s list of priests who “were removed from ministry, was retired, or left ministry after allegations of sexual abuse of a minor.” No information regarding the allegations was disclosed; however, the list includes deceased priests only if they have more than one allegation. He died in 1982.
According to media reports, in 2020, Fr. John Lewandowski was accused in a lawsuit filed under the NY Child Victims Act of repeatedly sexually abusing a child. The lawsuit alleges that the child was abused by Lewandowski when he was 13 and 14 years of age while the youth and his parents were parishioners of Ss. Peter and Paul. The lawsuit alleges Lewandowski gained the youth’s trust before sexually molesting the youth several times, including incidents that allegedly occurred in the church’s basement. In a separate lawsuit filed in July 2021, Fr. John Lewandowski was accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old in 1962.
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.