Father F. Patrick Melfi was one of several priests appointed to the College of Consultors.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has appointed a new College of Consultors, a move that canon law states should happen every five years.

The new members, who will serve until February 2023, are Bishop Edward M. Grosz, auxiliary bishop of Buffalo; Father Peter J. Karalus, pastor of St. John Paul II Parish, Lake View, and chairman of the presbyteral council; Msgr. W. Jerome Sullivan, retired diocesan priest; Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel, pastor of St. Leo the Great Parish, Amherst; Father James C. Croglio, vicar for priests; and Msgr. David G. LiPuma, pastor of St. Peter Parish, Lewiston.  Also, Father Dennis J. J. Mancuso, pastor of St. Patrick, Belfast; Our Lady of the Angels, Cuba; St. Patrick, Fillmore, and St. Mark, Rushford; Father Mark J. Noonan, vicar general and moderator of the curia; Father John M. Staak, OMI, faculty member at Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora; Father Michael G. Uebler, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi, Tonawanda, and coordinator for priests' personnel; and Father Bryan J. Zielenieski, administrator of Our Lady of Charity Parish, Buffalo.  

According to canon law, the bishop, who is also a member of the College of Consultors, must consult with these members before making certain decisions.  When a diocese is without a bishop, for example, in the case of a reassignment or death, the college of consultors elects a diocesan administrator.  

Father F. Patrick Melfi, pastor of St. John Parish, Olean, was given additional responsibility as pastor of St. Philomena Parish, Franklinville, for a term of six years, effective June 28.  Father Melfi, a native of Olean, was ordained in 2006. His previous assignments include serving as parochial vicar at St. Christopher Parish, Tonawanda; pastor at Our Lady of Peace, Salamanca, and St. Patrick, Limestone; and full-time formation faculty member at Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora.  He took over duties as pastor at St. John in June 2017.

Bishop Malone has reappointed Father David E. Tourville to third three-year term as parochial vicar at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Olean.  In addition, Father Tourville will serve as parochial vicar at St. John Parish, Olean, and St. Philomena Parish, Franklinville, both for a term of three years.  Father Tourville, who was ordained in 2009, was first assigned to St. Mary of the Angels in 2012.  He previously was parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish, Kenmore.

Father Romulo T. Montero, who has been parochial vicar at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Tonawanda, since May 2017, was named parochial vicar at three Cattaraugus County parishes, St. Philomena, Franklinville, and the Olean parishes of St. John and the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels.  Father Montero, who came to the diocese from the Philippines, was ordained in 1988.  

The four newly-ordained priests in the diocese have received their first assignments from Bishop Malone.  Each will serve as parochial vicar for a term of three years. Father Peter N. Bassey was assigned to Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Orchard Park, and Father Paul S. Cygan was assigned to St. Gregory the Great Parish, Williamsville.  Father Peter J. Santandreu and Father Gerard Skrzynski were given appointments at St. Amelia, Tonawanda, and St. Vincent de Paul, Niagara Falls, respectively.

Bishop Malone has granted faculties to two religious order priests, Father William B. Schmitt, SSC, and Father Richard J. Zanoni, SJ. Father Schmitt, a retired Columban priest, will reside at St. Columban's on the Lake Retirement Home in Silver Creek.  Father Zanoni will reside with the Jesuit community at St. Michael Parish, Buffalo, with part-time ministry at Canisius High School, Buffalo.