Aux. Bishop Edward Grosz

Diocese of Buffalo

Summary of Abuse Allegations against Auxiliary Bishop Edward Grosz:

In July 2021, retired Buffalo Auxiliary Bishop Edward Grosz was named in a lawsuit filed by a man who says that Grosz sexually abused him in approximately 1990 when the man was just 15 years old. According to the lawsuit, the abuse occurred at St. Brigid parish in Bergen, New York. Media reports indicate that the abuse occurred after a confirmation service for the boy.

The lawsuit also alleges that Fr. Richard Keppeler abused the boy for several years at St. Brigid prior to the abuse by Grosz. The victim told news reporters that he hoped to report Keppeler's abuse to Bishop Grosz and bring an end to it, but instead Grosz sexually abused him too.

In response to the allegations, the Diocese of Buffalo says that Grosz voluntarily surrendered his faculties to minister during the Diocese's internal investigation of the allegation. Though he retired several years ago, Grosz continued to perform sacraments and celebrate masses on occasion.

Grosz is the highest ranking official in the Diocese of Buffalo to be accused of sexually abusing a minor, but his involvement in the Diocese's child sexual abuse scandal is not new information. Grosz was personally named in the November 2020 lawsuit filed against the Diocese of Buffalo by the New York Attorney General. That lawsuit, which is still ongoing, accuses Bishop Richard Malone and Grosz of "protecting more than two dozen priests accused of child sexual abuse by not referring their cases to the Vatican for potential removal from the priesthood," and "misusing charitable assets by supporting priests who they knew had likely sexually abused minors."

Grosz, now 76, will remain on suspension pending the Diocese's investigation of the matter. Given his position in the Catholic Church hierarchy, it is likely that the Archdiocese of New York will become involved in the matter, as is required by internal church policies.

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.

Aux. Bishop Edward Grosz – Diocese of Buffalo