Father John Aurelio
Diocese of Buffalo
Ordained: 1966
Removed: 2003
Died: 2009
Assigned as follows:
- 1967: St. Helen (Hinsdale, NY)
- 1968: Cardinal Mindszenty High School (Dunkirk, NY)
- 1969: St. Leo (Amherst, NY)
- 1970-1975: West Seneca State School (West Seneca, NY)
- 1976-1981: St. Catherine of Siena (West Seneca, NY)
- 1982-1986: West Seneca Development Center (West Seneca, NY)
- 1987-1990: St. John the Evangelist (Buffalo, NY)
- 1991: Unknown
- 1991-1993: Christ the King Seminary (East Aurora, NY)
- 1994: Absent on leave
- 1995-1998: Unknown
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father John Aurelio:
According to media reports, in December 1993, Father John Aurelio admitted to authorities that he and Father Bernard M. Mach engaged in acts of sodomy with young boys in the 1970s. The boys were ages 12-14 and abused in an East Aurora house the two priests shared. Father Aurelio admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana with them and claimed the boys seduced him.
Father Aurelio, well known for writing children’s Christian storybooks, told law enforcement officials that he and Father Mach were just out of the seminary at the time and “sexually naive,” a source said.
Police believed that the priests targeted troubled youth, as they all came from broken homes and parents suffering from alcoholism.
Father Aurelio was also accused of abusing a mentally disabled resident at West Seneca Development Center. Both priests were suspended in 2003. They were not charged because the statute of limitations had expired.
It is believed that Father Aurelio moved to Venice, Florida after being suspended. He no longer functioned as a priest and lived there until his death in August 2009.
In March 2018, Father Aurelio’s name was included in the Diocese of Buffalo’s list of priests who “were removed from ministry, was 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.
In August 2019, Father Aurelio was named in a lawsuit filed under the NY Child Victims Act. The suit alleges that he abused an 11-year old boy in 1968 St. Gerard’s in Buffalo.
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.