Road To Recovery Group Names Owego Priest Among Accused

One of over a half-dozen priests named during a protest of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church June 6 remains serving in Tioga County.

The Diocese of Rochester has issued a statement saying an investigation into Father Thomas Valenti determined claims of abuse of a minor were unsubstantiated.  Those allegations were connected with what a lawyer said were encounters over 40 years ago at a church in Ontario New York.  The Diocese says the case was reviewed and there have been no other claims against the priest.

Father Valenti is currently listed as the Parochial Administrator of the Blessed Trinity Parish, consisting of four churches in Tioga County.

Also named by Attorney Mitchell Giarabedian during a demonstration this week in Rochester by the group Road to Recovery was Father David Simon who reportedly served Saint Margaret Mary Church in Apalachin from 1984 to 1999.