Buffalo's Catholic Diocese has confirmed that Fr. Fabian Maryanski has been named as the subject of a recent investigation by the Erie County District Attorney's office into an allegation of misconduct.
Maryanski was accused of inappropriately touching a girl in January. Last week, District Attorney John Flynn discussed the case without naming Maryanski, because the investigation found his actions did not rise to the level of criminal conduct.
“So at this time we have nothing more to go on in that case," said Flynn. "If other evidence develops, then obviously we’ll look into that. But at this time right now, it doesn’t appear that the alleged incident rises to a level of criminal conduct.”
While the name of the complainant and her family are not being revealed, Flynn did say the girl told someone at her school about an alleged "touching" incident.
Maryanski is retired from service as a pastor since 2014, but continues to celebrate masses in Clarence. While Flynn has no charges to file against Maryanski, he does have a recommendation for the Diocese.
“I would hope that he doesn’t say mass anymore," said Flynn. "I would hope that the Diocese would find fit to not allow him to be around children. Because while I’ll say this...while his conduct wasn’t criminal, I would say that, to me, his conduct was creepy.”
Maryanski is already on administrative leave from the diocese due to previous allegations of sexual contact with a teenage girl. In a written statement, Catholic Diocese spokesperson George Richert explained that Maryanski "has not been allowed to say Mass, wear the collar, or minister as a priest since May 7 when [he was] placed on administrative leave."
Flynn said among an estimated 15 to 20 complaints his office has received over the past three to four months about abuse by Diocesan priests, this was the only case thatmight have fallen within the statute of limitations.
