Father Aurelian Brzezniak
Diocese of Buffalo
Ordained: 1945
Died: 2011
Assigned as follows:
- 1947-1956 Bishop Ryan High School (Buffalo, NY)
- 1957-1962 St. Joseph Cupertino Novitiate (Ellicott City, MD)
- 1963-1968 Father Baker High School (Lackawanna, NY)
- 1968-1971 Bishop Ryan High School (Buffalo, NY)
- 1971-2000 St. Francis High School (Athol Springs, NY)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Aurelian Brzezniak:
Father Aurelian Brzezniak was ordained as a Franciscan order priest. According to media reports, in August 2019, in a case filed under the Child Victims Act he was accused of sexually abusing an 7-year-old boy in 1977, along with Father Patrick Mendola and Father James Smyka.
The lawsuit alleges that the three priests began molesting the boy when his family dropped off a relative who was a teacher at St. Francis High School and the family spent the night there. While the boy was sleeping in a separate room from his parents, the three priests took him to a shower and repeatedly molested him in front of a group of between 15 to 20 other priests who watched and laughed. The suit states that afterward, they would comfort him while he cried, and then sexually abused him again, at least 15 more times in a single night. The suit states the abuse continued until he was age 8.
Father Brzezniak retired in 2002 and died in June 2011. 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.
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.