SNYDER € November 5, 2018 SENT VIA FEDERAL EXPRESS Bishop Richard J. Malone Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo 795 Main Street Buffalo, New York 14203 Re: Upon This Rock Fundraising Campaign Dear Bishop Malone: Itis with a heavy heart that | make the request discussed below. However, my request is necessitated by the following: (a) your participation in the concealment of allegations ‘of sexual abuse against priests in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, especially with respect to a priest in my own parish accused of sexual misconduct, who on September 14,2017 wrote to Auxiliary Bishop Edward Grosz, the priest designated to handle the sextil abuse crisisin our Diocese, warning him that any “pastoral changes” at that priest's parish could adversely impact the Upon This Rock fundraising campaign (the Campaign’); (6) your inaction with respect to legitimate sexual abuse allegations against Catholic priests; and (€) your criticism of those who have selflessly attempted to ‘make sure that such allegations are explored and fairly resolved by the Diocese. Sexual abuse by priests, concealment of and inaction with respect to sexual abuse allegations for any reason, et alone to safeguard a fundraising Campaign, and unwarranted attacks cn those who oftentimes at great personal cost work to shed light on such allegations, concealment and inaction, are at complete odds with what I understand to be some of the fundamental tenets of our Catholic faith and traditions. Honesty, compassion and morality al suffer as a result of such vile actions by Catholic priests, and the Diocese’s failure to acknowledge and act appropriately upon receipt of such sexual abuse allegations, The p:oblem is compounded when you then criticize those who disagree with your failure t> deal with such allegations and demean those brave enough to speak out against abusive priests. ayassasseBishop Richard J. Malone November 5, 2018 Page2 ‘As you well know, you personally solicited contributions from parishioners in support of the Diocese's “Upon this Rock” fundraiser. In fac, the Campaign was your idea! ‘Through the generosity of many Diocesan parishioners, the Campaign's stated goal - to zie $100 million to fund ministries and programs throughout Westen New York ~ was met and exceeded, Inspired by the Campaign, and your cal to action with respect toi, I pledged to contribute tothe Campaign and proudly maintained that pledge for the last two years. However, I was sickened to learn recently that our pledge was solicited at atime when you were actively concealing, and failing to act upon, allegations of abuse by priests ‘within the Diocese. Specifically, [refer you to the September 14, 2017 “confidential” letter to Aux. Bishop Grosz from Rev. Robert N. Yetter, one of the priests against whom sexual abuse allegations had been made. Rev. Yetter, among other things, warned that any action against him might adversely impact donations from his parish, and he reminded Aux. Bishop Grosz that his parish was “number 2 in [the] diocese for contributions to Upon This Rock.” A copy of Rev. Yetter’s September 14, 2017 letter is enclosed for your convenience. You then compounded my concern, and quite frankly my disgust, and reinforced my decision to make this request, by publicly excoriating, ‘those who sought to shed light on this untenable situation. ‘Consequently, Ican no longer in good conscience contribute to the Campaign. ‘Moreover, because I believe that donations to the Campaign were solicited under false pretenses, a illustrated in past by Rev. Yetter's September 1f, 2017 letter, I respectfully ‘demand that the Diocese return the donations I made to the Campaign over the last two years. My sincere hope is that the Diocese will promptly effectuate a change in leadership to restore my confidence that any future donations will be made to a Diocese that responds compassionately and effectively to allegations of abuse by its priests, genuinely works to help the victims of such abuse, and treats those making or calling, attention to such allegations with dignity and respect.Bishop Richard J. Malone November 5, 2018 Page 3 ‘Thank you for your time and please let me know how the Diocese intends to respond to iy reimbursement request. Also, because you never responded to my August 23, 2018 letter to you (a copy of which is also enclosed), and in fact denied ever having received it, [am sending this letter to you by federal express, and also intend to provide a copy of it to the local news organizations investigating matters discussed above. Finally, ‘am sending a copy of this letter to the New York State Attorney General's Oftice, and in so doing requesting that the Attorney General add your Diocese to those under investigation by that office. Paul Snyder, IIL j3521am Enclosures New YorkState Attorney General