BUFFALO, N.Y. — A local lawmaker is asking for more information from the Catholic church on its investigations of priests accused of sexual abuse.

Erie County Legislator Patrick Burke says the Catholic church and the Buffalo Diocese have been negligent when it comes to informing parishioners and the public about priests who've been charged or accused of sexually abusing children and young people in the church.  

Dozens of priests in the Buffalo Diocese have been accused.       

"They have an obligation to the public, to the faithful in the church, and really to the future of the church if they want the church to continue to have membership they need to have a full open vetting of what's going on here," Burke said. "I think they just don't quite understand that yet."

Pennsylvania's Attorney General released a 900 page report last week which outlined years of abuse by dozens of priests across the state.

Burke is calling on the state senate to pass the Child Victims Act.