The Diocese of Rochester says a priest has been put on leave following allegations he sexually abused an altar boy 40 years ago.
The Reverend Robert Gaudio has denied the allegation. He is the pastor at St. Christopher Church in North Chili. Parishioners were told about the investigation over the weekend.
The man making the complaint says he was abused when he was 14 in 1979 at St. Andrew's Church in Rochester.
A statement released through the alleged victim's attorney, said he "lost all hope there would be an opportunity for justice" until he recently learned an attorney was helping abuse victims through the Diocese's compensation program.