Father Roy Herberger
Diocese of Buffalo
Ordained: 1968
Removed: 2018
Reinstated: 2018
Assigned as follows:
- SS. Columba-Brigid Church (Buffalo, NY)
- Our Lady of Lourdes Church (Buffalo, NY)
- St. Boniface Church (Buffalo, NY)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Roy Herberger:
Father Roy Herberger retired in 2017. According to media reports, he was placed on administrative leave in June 2018 after an allegation was made that he sexually assaulted an 8-year-old boy when he was a student at St. Anne’s Parish in Buffalo in 1985.
The alleged victim said Father Herberger took him to a Lackawanna home, tied him up, poured oil on his back and then raped him, as another priest videotaped the abuse. Father Herberger strongly denied the allegation, saying he knew the boy because he would help the boy’s alcoholic and, at times, homeless, father. He said he was never alone with the boy.
In a letter to friends he said, “I want everyone to know that I deny these claims completely – 100 percent. I’m not saying that the victim is lying about being assaulted by some priest, but I do emphatically deny that it was me.”
Months later, in December 2018, after the Diocese of Buffalo conducted an internal review and determined the allegations were “not substantiated,” he returned to ministry, though he was retired. In August 2019, his accuser filed a lawsuit filed under the NY Child Victims Act.
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.