Diocese of Buffalo
Office of Communications
_________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2019
Significant developments regarding Fr. Nowak matter
Last month the diocese released a statement regarding Fr. Jeffrey Nowak which said that media reports
inaccurately stated that Bishop Malone had engaged in a “cover-up” and “done absolutely nothing” in
response to allegations of inappropriate conduct on the part of Fr. Nowak. The diocese stands by that
statement, which is attached here.
Since that statement was released, there have been two significant developments in the investigation of the
Fr. Nowak matter. First, Fr. Nowak ultimately twice refused to undergo the behavioral assessment that Bishop
Malone had directed him to pursue. As a result, Bishop Malone placed Fr. Nowak on administrative leave,
removing his faculties to function as a priest. He will remain on leave as the investigation continues.
Second, because it was apparent that the publicity around the Fr. Nowak investigation might lead to the
publication of a letter written by Bishop Malone’s Secretary, Fr. Ryszard Biernat, to a seminarian, Bishop
Malone suggested that Fr. Biernat take a personal leave of absence from his assignment as the Bishop’s
Secretary and Vice Chancellor. Bishop Malone’s motivation for this suggestion was in the hope that such a
move might avoid embarrassment to Fr. Biernat and the diocese.
Some are questioning why Bishop Malone did not act more quickly to take action against Fr. Nowak when
Bishop Malone considered him to be a “sick” man. First, as noted in the August press release, the diocese had
never received – and still has not received – any allegation that Fr. Nowak ever engaged in sexual contact with
anyone, child or adult. While the diocese did receive allegations of questionable behavior – behavior which
was concerning enough to Bishop Malone that he felt Fr. Nowak needed a professional assessment – the
diocese was and is aware of no behavior that threatened harm to the public. While much of the delay can be
attributed to the complexity of the allegations and the unwillingness of some involved to cooperate fully, the
truth is that Bishop Malone was also hoping to prevent the public scandal that could well arise from
publication of the letter written by Fr. Ryszard.

For more information, contact Kathy Spangler, Director of Communications
kspangler@buffalodiocese.org, 716.847.8717