BUFFALO, N.Y. – A grand jury report into sex abuse allegations in Pennsylvania has shaken the Catholic Church. Its' release had people asking why New York isn't opening up a similar investigation.
Friday night, 2 On Your Side got some answers.
James Faluszczak is one of the witnesses who testified before a Pennsylvania grand jury about being abused by a priest when he was a teen.
"Sexual abuse by a priest is akin to soul murder," says Faluszczak.
Despite that, he says he felt God calling him to become a priest himself. He served in active ministry for 18 years. Faluszczak now lives in Buffalo and wants prosecutors to investigate here. He even thinks the Governor should issue an executive order if he has to, forcing prosecutors to investigate.
But it might not be that simple.
Erie County District Attorney John Flynn says he's already gotten 15 to 20 calls in the past few months from survivors asking him to launch investigations, but he says it's all about timing.
"The problem is that until we change the statute of limitations laws here in New York State and perhaps in PA as well, and nationwide, we're going to face a situation that I've been facing for the past four months here where I am time bared by the statute of limitations from bringing action against the perpetrators here and providing justice for the victims," says Flynn.
Flynn supports the Child Victims Act, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for all sex related criminal cases when the victim is under 18.
So does Faluszczak, who says he will continue to advocate for survivors.
"I think victims have a right to sue the church, but I think something even more important is at stake and that's forcing the process, the legal process of discovery because even as the state might potentially conduct an investigation, individual victims have a right to bring their cases forward," says Faluszczak.
Friday night, Acting State Attorney General Barbara Underwood's office told us she has directed her Criminal Division leadership to reach out to local D.A.s who are the only entities that have the power to convene a grand jury to investigate these matters. The NYS Attorney General’s office also says the only way justice can be served is if the legislature passes the Child Victims Act.