Fr. Francis Baratto – Diocese of Buffalo

| Aug 7, 2020 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father Francis Baratto

Diocese of Buffalo


Ordained: 1953

Died: 1992

Assignment History:

  • 1970s:           St. Mary (Lockport, NY)
  • 1980s:           Our Lady of Lourdes (Buffalo, NY)
  • 1988-1992:   St. Andrew Church (Town of Tonawanda, NY)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Francis Baratto:

Father Francis Baratto was ordained a priest in 1953. He served in multiple roles including parochial vicar of St. Mary in Lockport, and pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Buffalo, NY. He was also an assistant pastor in various churches in the Diocese of Buffalo. Early in his career, he worked with the Catholic Youth, serving as campus minister for both Erie Community College and Mount St. Joseph Academy in Buffalo.

According to media reports, in 2020, Father Baratto was named in a lawsuit against the Diocese of Buffalo. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor more than 40 years ago. The details of the sexual abuse allegations, including when and where the alleged abuse occurred, or the victim’s age/gender, are unknown. Father Baratto was the parochial Vicar of St. Andrew Church in the Town of Tonawanda when he died in 1992 at the age of 63.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Buffalo in New York.  The Diocese of Buffalo filed for bankruptcy protection in February 2020.  Our lawyers are now offering free legal consultations to discuss a potential lawsuit and your other options as a survivor of sexual abuse by priests and other employees of the Buffalo Diocese.

Very strict filing deadlines will soon be set by the Bankruptcy Court.  Most victims of abuse will never be able to recover damages if they miss this deadline, so please contact us to discuss your case today. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an e-mail to [email protected].