Buffalo Diocese says it is cutting off financial support for priest accused of ‘abhorrent’ crimes
Buffalo Diocese has cut financial support for Father Jeffrey Nowak after federal investigators charged him with child pornography. The diocese is seeking his removal from the clerical state by petitioning the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. Nowak was placed on administrative leave in 2019 over alleged sexual harassment of a seminarian and was barred from ministry by Bishop Fisher in 2021. The diocese had been required by canon law to provide some financial sustenance but will no longer do so following the “abhorrent criminal conduct” allegations.
3 months ago
The Diocese of Buffalo announced it will cease all financial assistance to Father Jeffrey Nowak and is moving to have him laicized after federal prosecutors charged him with possession and receipt of child‑pornography material. 1 2
Father Jeffrey Nowak, a priest assigned to the parish of St. Joseph in Lackawanna, New York, was placed on administrative leave in 2019 following allegations that he had sexually harassed a seminarian. Bishop Michael Fisher, who became bishop of Buffalo in 2021, told Nowak that his priestly faculties would not be restored and warned other bishops against accepting him. 1
In July 2026 the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York announced that Nowak had been arrested and charged with both receipt and possession of child‑pornography, offenses that carry a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. The prosecutor described the conduct as “abhorrent” and said the priest had “hid behind a keyboard” to exploit children. 1
The diocese issued a statement on July 15, 2026 confirming that, under canon law, it had been obligated to provide a modest level of financial sustenance to Nowak despite his non‑active status. After the new criminal allegations, the diocese declared it would no longer provide any financial support. 2
Bishop Fisher instructed the diocesan judicial vicar to compile documentation for a petition to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith requesting that Nowak be dismissed from the clerical state. The diocese had not previously sought such a petition because there had been no allegation of child sexual abuse or other criminal conduct. 1 2
The diocese noted that the support it had been giving Nowak was “considerably less than what an active priest receives and also less than what a retired priest receives.” The cessation of these funds removes that modest stipend entirely. 2
If convicted, Nowak faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the child‑pornography charges. The federal prosecutor emphasized that the priest’s actions exploited “one of society’s most vulnerable populations, our children.” 1
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo highlighted the seriousness of the crime, stating that Nowak “has now been exposed and can no longer hide and will be held accountable for his disgraceful behavior.” Bishop Fisher’s statement underscored the diocese’s commitment to canon law while asserting that the new allegations warranted the withdrawal of financial aid and a petition for laicization. 1 2*
Does canon law mandate diocesan financial support for priests facing criminal accusations?
Canon law does not contain a rule that says, in so many words, “a diocese must continue paying a priest during the pendency of a criminal accusation.” However, the Code of Canon Law does impose a duty to ensure “decent support” / “what is necessary for a worthy support” of clerics, including when ecclesiastical authority takes measures connected with removal from office or the imposition of penalties—situations that commonly occur when serious allegations arise.
The diocesan bishop is obligated, with special solicitude, to protect priests’ rights and to ensure “that provision is made for their decent support.”
So even if accusations lead to restrictions in ministry, canon law places a continuing pastoral-administrative responsibility on the bishop regarding the priest’s material support.
Canon law is explicit that, when imposing penalties on a cleric (with the noted exception of dismissal from the clerical state), “care must always be taken that he does not lack what is necessary for his worthy support.”
This means support is not treated as “punishment by starvation”; even penal measures must preserve basic, “worthy” sustenance.
If someone is removed by decree from an office that provides support (i.e., not removed automatically “by the law itself”), the competent authority must “take care that the support is provided for a suitable period, unless other provision is made.”
This is closely relevant to the typical situation where, amid serious allegations, a priest is taken off certain assignments or offices that normally fund his ministry. Canon law anticipates that removal can happen and requires continued support (unless other provision is made).
Canon law recognizes that clerics deserve remuneration consistent with their state, sufficient to cover the necessities of life and equitable payment of those whose services they need. It also requires social assistance if they suffer illness, incapacity, or old age.
It further provides an institutional framework for support through diocesan funds/institutes—“for the purpose of providing… for the support of clerics” serving the diocese, unless provision is otherwise made.
A Vatican dicastery explanation of these norms emphasizes that this Church remuneration is meant to guarantee “honest sustenance” so the cleric can continue his ministry in serenity and liberty (and it is described as not being a labor “stipend” in the strict proportional sense).
Net answer: There is no single canon that specifically addresses “criminal accusations” as such; but canon law does mandate ongoing material support duties that apply when ecclesiastical authority restricts, removes, or penalizes a cleric in the course of governance.
In practical canonical terms, diocesan support obligations are usually satisfied by ensuring decent support and necessities, potentially through diocesan remuneration systems, funds, or other provision—rather than automatically continuing full remuneration for every prior assignment regardless of circumstances.
Conclusion: Canon law does not spell out a “criminal accusation” rule, but it does require that a diocesan bishop ensure a cleric receives decent support and that, if penal measures or removals occur, the cleric is not left without what is necessary for worthy support (unless other provision is made).