January 21, 2025

 Dear Parishioners and School Families,

A number of you have reached out to express serious concerns about Father David Buffum, who served as a Parochial Vicar at Saints Peter and Paul Parish for 13 months (June 2022-September 2023).

According to information posted on a local blog yesterday, Father Buffum was involved with the production of morally objectionable publications and podcasts under an assumed name while he was serving as a priest of the Archdiocese.

Like you, I found these reports extremely disturbing and had not known about these activities previously. Today, I contacted the Archdiocese of Philadelphia regarding this matter and requested information on your behalf. 

Archdiocesan officials shared the following:

“Reports of these behaviors on Father Buffum’s part were previously unknown and first received directly by the Archdiocese late last week. Father Buffum requested a leave of absence from priestly ministry in September of 2023 to discern voluntary separation from the clerical state. Accordingly, he was placed on leave with his priestly faculties restricted. Father Buffum has neither functioned as a priest nor has he resided within the boundaries of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia since that time. 

During his time of active service as a priest, no allegations of criminal activity or violations of The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries were lodged against Father Buffum. He also successfully completed criminal background checks and child abuse clearances in addition to required safe environment training programs.”

I understand how unsettling this matter is and hope that the clarity from the Archdiocese will bring some degree of comfort. Thank you and God bless you.

Sincerely in Christ,

Reverend Michael J. Reilly
Pastor
Saints Peter and Paul Parish