It is recommended to merge 15 family parishes within the Vicariate of Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — For the first time, the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo will recommend a closure or merger as it faces a financial crisis.

The diocese has seven regional vicariates throughout Western New York, made up of members from parishes of different churches.

Thursday evening, the Vicariate of Buffalo met with the diocese to find out what would be recommended for all Catholic churches in the city of Buffalo.

This Vicariate will hear which city churches may be about to meet in the future.

PREVIOUS STORY: “Parishioners want something that works”: Diocese of Buffalo holds vicariate meetings

As the meeting concluded, 7 News’ Pheben Kassahun spoke with two parish leaders; one shared his experience with church mergers while the other is up for a challenge.

It was proposed to merge fifteen family parishes within the Vicariate of Buffalo.

The announcement was made at Thursday evening’s meeting at St. Anthony of Padua RC Church, on Court Street, at the Mother Cabrini Social Center.

The 90-minute closed-door meeting was attended by administrators, priests and deacons. This happened from 6:30 p.m. until a little after 8 p.m.

“Now they bring these recommendations back to their parish communities, they examine them, give their opinion, the potential changes, what they see happening with them and they respond to us before July 15”, Vicar for the development of the renewal of Diocese of Buffalo, Father Bryan Zielenieski told Kassahun.

From July 15 to August 23, diocese leaders will review alternative proposals, and a formal list of recommendations will be released by September 1.

Father Brian said there was some shock at how aggressive the diocese must be in its overhaul.

Rodney Richardson is the trustee and co-founder of St. Martin de Porres Church. The church is the only Catholic church in the Diocese of Buffalo with a majority black congregation and has approximately 350 registered parishioners.

Rodney Richardson explained: “Surprising. Some bad news. Some good news. Certain challenges for certain parishes. It’s going to take a lot of coming together and give and take. »

Tom Kilianski, administrator of St. Theresa Church, is no stranger to mergers.

He said a total of nine parishes merged with St. Teresa.

“Not everyone expected some of the recommendations they’re making today,” Tom Kilianski said. “The diocese has done its job and it has been working on this for months, even a few years. Not everyone is happy.”

Father Bryan adds that it is a very difficult task.

He said he hopes parishioners will understand the need to reorganize under the Chapter 11 process.

Father Bryan said: “It’s not easy because it’s about people’s spiritual lives. It is a place where they met God, where they were baptized, married. These buildings have a very special and significant meaning. “.

The effective closures would begin in October and continue until June 2025.

Vicariates will hold another meeting for the North Erie Vicariate on Friday.

Catholic Diocese Communications Director Joe Martone told Kassahun that all vicariates will have completed their meetings by the end of next week.

The list of churches whose merger was recommended by the Vicariate of Buffalo on Thursday evening is as follows:

Inaugurated family #20

• Holy Spirit, Buffalo – merge with St. Margaret
• St. Mark and Buffalo merge with St. Margaret (the school will remain open)
• Saint Rose of Lima, Buffalo — merge with Saint Magaret
• All Saints, Buffalo — merge with Assomption

Family #21

• St. Lawrence, Buffalo – merge with Holy Trinity
• SS. Columba Brigid, Buffalo — merge with St. Stanislaus, Buffalo

Family #22

• St. Anthony of Padua, Buffalo – merge with St. Louis
• St. Michael, Buffalo – merge with St. Louis
• Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Buffalo – merge with St. Louis

Family #23

• Coronation of the BVM, Buffalo — merger with Assomption

Family #30

• St. John Kanty, Buffalo (St. Adalbert) — merge with St. Stanislaus
• St. John Gualbert, Cheektowaga — merge with St. Stanislaus

Inaugurated family #31

• Saint-Martin de Tours, Buffalo — merge with Notre-Dame de Charité (the school will remain open)
• Saint Thomas Aquinas, Buffalo – merge with Saint Teresa

Family #32

• St. Bernard, Buffalo – merge with Our Lady of Charity

On the watchlist:
Holy Cross, Ox
Saint Katherine Drexel, Buffalo
St. Casimir, Buffalo