Note: This is an open letter written by Christopher Szuflita.

There has been minimal

editing of this document. When Szuflita references defending children who spoke out in
the 1990’s, he is talking about victims who came forward anonymously to describe
abuse at the hands of Father John Aurelio and Father Bernard Mach.

December 23, 2018

To: The Vatican

Buffalo Diocese and all dioceses across the globe
Administrators who oversee victim compensation settlements
Barbara Howe
Jerome Gorski

First and foremost, I along with countless other survivors are getting very frustrated and
angry over the continuing saga of "Catholic clergy sexual abuse."
This letter is not to minimize other victims who also have suffered the pain of sexual
abuse other than by a Catholic priest. All victims of these hideous acts should have a
voice and that voice should be heard.

Twenty four years ago or there about, I spoke up to help and defend a child that was
being mocked by the Bishop of the Buffalo Diocese, who called the victims that spoke
out nameless and faceless. Well, as you have found out we do have a face and a name.
Today, twenty four years later the saga continues. Only now more has been uncovered.
Your hidden secrets are going to be made public. You almost are starting to look
human.

When my sexual abuse took place more than 53 years ago our society was much more
different than it is today. We were taught to respect ALL adults, to be obedient at all
times. Us Catholics, well, we were taught that priests and nuns were the closest thing to
God. Unfortunately, many of us now know that God would not commit these hideous
crimes.

With that said please remove the prefix Fr. and Sr. from clergy who are recognized by
Father or Sister. I can tell you first hand that the man (priest) who assaulted me, was
not my father. Just get rid of it. It is appalling. Reverend. is acceptable.

I want to share some of my memories from the first time I spoke out:

First, I became a voice for a young man, and I hope he is fine and I want him be strong.

Second, a young woman visited me at my home and shared a story about her brother
that had been assaulted by the same man as myself. Only her story takes a different
twist. Her brother took his own life because of the demons imposed upon him by that
perpetrator. For that reason, we survivors will be the voice of those who cannot speak
for themselves today.
Third, My Mother, God Bless her soul, asked me what her friends were going to say and
think about me going public. I replied "They may say you raised a good son Ma".

So I ask you Mr. (Bishop) Malone, Jerome Gorski, and Barbara Howe. What are your
friends going to say about you?

Now let us address what is really happening here. The administrators that have sent to
us victims letters regarding financial settlements. How can you with a clear conscience,
appointed by the diocese (the real criminals in all of this), come to your conclusions?

Is fondling a child worth less than say oral sex or maybe penetration? Or maybe using a
weapon to commit their crimes are worth more?

We as survivors, and victims of these horrible, unspeakable crimes we have had to

endure a life time of pain and anguish, and not just for ourselves, but also for our
families. You have not walked in our shoes or felt our pain. We all hope that you or your
children or grandchildren will never have to experience the fear and humiliation that
these monsters did to us.

We all know that you have read the stories of us applicants that we have painfully
written. After seeing the dollar amounts of your compensation (or shall we call them
awards?), it is apparent that you only read the words and did not hear the voices
speaking these words. Your decisions and lack of compassion only opens old wounds,
and we feel like the abuse still continues. You still want the control.

My parents and many other families gave as much if not more into your collection
baskets as some of your "awards". Do I still have your attention? I have been a funeral
director for most of my adult life. On one occasion a minister came up to me and said,
"We have one opportunity to get this service right. Let’s do it."

Unfortunately for you, you had an opportunity to make a wrong right.

SHAME ON YOU!

Survivor,

Mr. Christopher Szuflita

PS - You still have time to make it right.