Fr. Loville Martlock – Diocese of Buffalo

| Oct 18, 2019 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father Loville Martlock

Diocese of Buffalo

Ordained: 1963

Died: 2014

Assigned as follows:

  • 1964                St. John the Evangelist, (Sinclairville, NY)
  • 1965-1966      Infant Jesus of Prague (Cheektowaga, NY)
  • 1967                Holy Family (Buffalo, NY)
  • 1968-1972      St. Christopher (Tonawanda, NY)
  • 1973-1977      Fourteen Holy Helpers (Gardenville, NY)
  • 1978-1979      Cardinal Mindszenty High School (Dunkirk, NY)
  • 1980-1981      St. John de La Salle (Niagara Falls, NY)
  • 1982-1983      St. Elizabeth (Cherry Creek, NY)
  • 1984-1986      St. Mary’s Diocesan High School (Lancaster, NY)
  • 1987-1988      Sacred Heart (Bowmansville, NY)
  • 1989-1990      On duty outside the Diocese (Brazil South America)
  • 1991                Maryknoll Foreign Missions
  • 1992                St. Benedict the Moor (Buffalo, NY)
  • 1993                Notre Dame High School of Batavia, (Batavia, NY) Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (Bennington Center, NY)
  • 1994                 Unknown
  • 1995                Absent on leave

Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Loville Martlock:

According to media reports, in October 1993, Father Loville Martlock was placed on medical leave and sent to an out-of-state treatment facility after he was accused of sexually abusing an 8-year-old boy beginning in 1974 until 1978. He was a religion teacher at Notre Dame High School at the time.

The victim said he was abused in the priests’ home at the former Cardinal Mindszenty High School in Dunkirk; in the rectory at Fourteen Holy Helpers in West Seneca; and in motels along the East Coast during a week-long vacation trip with him.

Father Martlock retired in 2002, and no longer functioning as a priest. He died in 2014.

In March 2018, Father Martlock’s 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.

In September 2018, a Buffalo deacon said that he was sexually abused by Father Martlock and Father Mark Friel when he was 16 years old, while on a camping trip to Utah with another boy. The last day of the trip, the deacon said Father Martlock gave him Coors beer before massaging him and groping him inside a tent until he fought off the priest’s advances.

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.