Father Charles Werth
Diocese of Buffalo
Ordained: 1953
Placed on Leave: 2014
Died: 2017
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Charles Werth:
Father Charles Werth was ordained to the priesthood in 1953. He served as pastor of St. Barnabas Church. According to media reports, he was arrested in 1994 in a crackdown on lewd behavior in Ellicott Creek Park. He pleaded guilty to a charge of exposure, and was fined $295. The judge also ordered him to stay out of the park and to receive counseling. The Diocese of Buffalo placed him on administrative leave from his church duties. He had been a priest for 41 years.
In 2004, the then-retired priest was charged with public lewdness in connection to another incident at Ellicott Creek Park. The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo said neither incident involved minors.
Father Werth died in December 2017 at the age of 89. In November 2018, he was named publicly as accused on the Diocese of Buffalo’s updated list of accused clergy Priests included on the list were either living with one allegation, or deceased with more than one substantiated claim against them.
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.