Our Mission

LayDOB.com is a blog created as a contribution to transparency surrounding the clergy sexual abuse crisis in the Diocese of Buffalo (New York). The “Diocese” didn’t betray us. People did. Until we recognize–by name and face–the true agents of betrayal, and the toxic culture that informs them, we won’t be able to begin to restore trust in Holy Mother Church. Thanks to courageous whistleblowers and the New York State Attorney General, we know names, faces and their horrendous professional misconduct that exacerbated the clergy sexual abuse crisis for decades.

Jennifer Kane, founder/editor of LayDOB.com, provides information and perspectives as an advocate for not only survivors of clergy sexual abuse, but for professional accountability in reforming the Diocese in the wake of this evil scourge that has ravaged precious souls and lives. Because we laity cannot adequately respond to the crisis without truth, this blog exposes:

• the corrupt culture fostered by so many diocesan officials (some still in leadership positions in the diocese today),
• and the enablers of that culture (including laity) who allowed the sexual abusers to flourish.

Much of this information and commentary you won’t get anywhere else. That is because since 2006 Jennifer has been working with individuals in our diocese who were either survivors of clergy sexual abuse or advocates for those survivors. Some worked in the chancery executive offices. As Pope Francis acknowledged, it is not only the sexual abusers who hurt innocent victims but Church personnel as well who mishandled reports by victims looking for help. Both parties hurt innocent souls. Both parties need to be addressed in any vision of “reform.” Long ago, we were warned that Church officials would harm the flock. St. Paul wept as he preached these words of warning to the bishops of the Church at the time:

Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the church of God that he acquired with his own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. –Acts 20:28-30

Why do these men in charge of Christ’s Church hurt us or allow us to be hurt? Jesus tells us:

“A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.” John 10:12-13

Because this website is not under the auspices of the Diocese of Buffalo, we lay faithful Catholics may write in freedom of those constraints. Church law¹ acknowledges your right and duty to express your concerns to your pastors with charity. ² You are invited to contribute to the conversation. If you are a baptized practicing Catholic in the diocese you are more than competent to voice your concerns/observations on the clergy sex abuse crisis. Your resources and links to facts are most helpful. We operate under the presumption that all are innocent of wrongdoing unless proven otherwise. Remember: your most powerful voice lies within your participation at Holy Mass and your prayers, especially through the Holy Rosary. Holy Mary, Queen of the Church, pray for us.

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Four calls to action for our bishop:

First call: Hold diocesan leaders accountable, and stop appointing in positions of authority those corrupt diocesan officials identified in the NY State Attorney General’s lawsuit. Second call: Reinstate whistleblower, Rev. Ryszard Biernat, to full and active ministry and establish whistleblower protections as is required to operate as a non-profit in the state of New York. Third Call: Give first priority to the needs of survivors of clergy sexual abuse before any attempts at diocesan “renewal.” Fourth call: Consult Catholic laity in our diocese who have not had their objectivity tainted after spending decades as “official” hand-picked lay advisors to the bishops.