Father Robert Biesinger
Diocese of Buffalo
Ordained: 1956
Died: 2012
Assigned as follows:
- 1957 Immaculate Conception (East Bethany, NY)
- 1958-1967 Saints Peter and Paul (Williamsville, NY)
- 1968 St. Mary (Lockport, NY)
- 1969-1975 Baker-Victory High School (Father Baker High, Lackawanna, NY)
- 1976-1986 Holy Family (Machias, NY)
- 1987 Immaculate Heart of Mary (Buffalo, NY)
- 1988-1994 St. Aloysius Gonzaga (Cheektowaga, NY)
- 1995-2001 Absent on leave; Sheehan Residence for Priests (Buffalo, NY)
Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Father Robert Biesinger:
According to media reports, in March 1995, a woman filed a lawsuit alleging that Father Robert Biesinger sexually assaulted and abused her as a 15-year old teen in August 1974, while she was part of the color guard and drill team at Baker-Victory High School in Lackawanna. At the time, Father Biesinger was the director and coach of the drill team. The woman claimed the abuse occurred multiple times and on a trip to Chicago for a drill team competition. Father Biesinger resigned as pastor of St. Aloysius and retired from ministry. The Diocese of Buffalo settled the suit in 1996 for $125,000.
Shortly after the allegations surfaced against Father Biesinger, a second woman came forward to allege that he abused her on three different occasions in 1965 when she sought counseling as a ‘young adult.’ At the time, he was an assistant pastor at SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Williamsville.
“I went to him for counseling, and he said he had to punish me,” the woman said. “I have had nightmares all these years. I bet there was not a week or a month that went by that I didn’t think about it. I have never recovered from it.”
She came forward to be sure “that he is never able to touch another woman.”
Father Biesinger died in July 2012. In March 2018, his 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.” No information regarding the allegations was disclosed, however, the list includes deceased priests only if they have more than one allegation.
In 2020, Fr. Biesinger was named in a 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 [email protected] to discuss your legal options today.