Steven Halter is the lead investigator into accusations of clergy sexual abuse for the Diocese of Buffalo.

"I've reviewed volumes of records. I've received several allegations of misconduct. And those victims, again, are the highest priority I have," said Halter.

"The Diocese has not kept me from reviewing any records, looking at any information that I need. It is true, I work for the Diocese, right. I will not allow any rock, not to be overturned, to make sure I get to the bottom of these matters and help everyone involved.”

Halter says once a priest has been placed on administrative leave, his preliminary investigation begins.

"Again, I'm the fact-gatherer. I'm the one trying to determine what happened, when it happened, who was involved, who can help me either prove or disprove that allegation. To date, I've presented several matters to the review board for their consideration," said Halter.

"Our reports are fact-driven. And some of them are frankly heart-wrenching. We have to keep in mind that we need to distinguish between crimes and sins," said Judge Sal Martoche, Independent Diocesan Review Board chairman.

Judge Sal Martoche is the chair of the Independent Diocesan Review Board that determines whether a priest is returned to ministry.

"To take the time necessary to be as accurate as we can in reviewing the facts. That is fraught with second guessing. And we're damned if we do, and we're damned if we don't. We have zero tolerance for perverts and pedophiles," said Martoche.

Last week, Bishop Richard Malone returned two priests to active ministry as their cases were not substantiated, while another priest whose case was remains on leave.

The board has looked at dozens of cases and is expected to review several more.

"We give the accusers, the alleged victims, the benefit of the doubt, but we always remember something that I think is important: That there are no perfect people," said Martoche.

Priests caught possessing child pornography for instance will not be returned to ministry and have their case referred to the Vatican.

Martoche says while no form of pornography is acceptable, reinstated priests in possession of adult material is not a crime.

"We do not want to return anybody to the ministry that we think will offend again. The bottom line is, predators must be removed. We will get them, weed them out, because they do not belong in a position of authority," said Martoche.

Martoche says investigations take several weeks, and disagrees with those who feel Malone is returning priests to ministry too soon.

"Their careers and their reputations are at stake, so therefore we have a tremendous responsibility not only to the victims, although primarily to the victims, but also to these people, to make sure that we do this the appropriate way," said Martoche.

"By the time they get to the review board, and that they say that this person can be reinstated, that they've done everything they can to help them," said Msgr. David LiPuma, Council of Priests chairman.

Coming up in Part Two, help for those priests that have been reinstated, especially for those who may have sinned, but not committed a crime. And the help available for those not returned to ministry. The answers to those questions and more with the Council of Priests.