Current News

The Diocese of Buffalo has announced four new members of the Diocesan Review Board (DRB) - Lee Coppola, John F. Coyne, M.D., Hon. Salvatore R. Martoche and Sister Mary McCarrick, OSF. The DRB advises Bishop Richard J. Malone in his assessment of allegations of child or vulnerable adult sexual abuse.

After enduring several months of controversy and anger over his decisions about handling sexual abuse cases within the Diocese of Buffalo, Bishop Richard J. Malone responded to a recent story by WKBW-TV about his history in his former diocese in Portland, Maine.

The Diocese of Buffalo takes pride in its rich cultural heritage. Masses are celebrated in 10 different languages throughout the eight counties, as well as signed English and the traditional Latin.

An old Irish proverb says, "It is in the shelter of each other that the people live." Indeed, we are created to depend upon one another and walk together in suffering. But when family members or friends approach life's end, we may not know how best to "shelter" them. Here are some concrete ways we can compassionately care for them. Invite God In: Pope Francis has said that "praying in difficult situations is like opening the door to the Lord, in order that he might enter." The dying process is a sacred time - a final season to seek closure in this life and prepare for the next in the hope of sharing in Christ's Resurrection. As you enter into this season with your friend or family member, ask God to accompany both of you.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY — Niagara University officially dedicated the Statler Foundation Hospitality House, a residential living and learning community for students studying event management at the university College of HosGifted Students Recognized at St. Francis High School.

Catholic Charities of Buffalo is pleased to announce the appointment of Timothy J. Sember, lifetime Catholic and Buffalonian, to the newly created position of Chief Development Officer. Dennis C. Walczyk, chief executive officer and diocesan director, made the announcement.

The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee of the Sisters of St. Joseph and Associates of Buffalo, dedicated a new Peace Pole at the Sisters property in Clarence. Sister of St. Joseph Associate Audrey Mang's welcome set the tone for the dedication of a Peace Pole by saying, "Today we celebrate diversity - the gift of our country. Diversity - all of us - is what makes our country great."

Some people may think school buildings are lifeless and boring. That is not the case at South Buffalo Catholic Notre Dame Academy. A mural was recently created for the cafeteria in the Abbott Road building, whose premise is a box of crayons, which is a perfect theme for this pre-K - fourth-grade campus.

Trocaire College's board of trustees has elected six new members to three-year terms on the board.

St. Mary's High School took a field trip south of the border this summer as three students and their Spanish teacher traveled to Puebla, Mexico to teach English. They ended up learning more than they ever expected.

As a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, I am concerned with the healing of both adult and child victims of abuse. I desire the reconciliation and the healing of the divisions in our Diocese. I long for the sanctification of the Clergy and the growth in holiness of all of the People of God. With all of this in mind: Here are three reasons why I support the Most Reverend Bishop Richard J. Malone to remain as bishop of Buffalo and lead us through the next two and a half years.

Last month, on Sunday, Oct. 14, the Church canonized two giants of the 20th century Church - St. Paul VI and St. Oscar Romero.

Our church in the Diocese of Buffalo and throughout the United States is already diverse and becoming more diverse every day. This past October, we gathered with over 3,500 Catholic Hispanics leaders from around the United States for the V National Encuentro working toward a better way to serve this growing population. Looking at ways we can all work together as we move forward into the future of the Church in the United States.

The following Catholic institutions and organizations will hold blood drives in the next few weeks. Dates and times are subject to change.

When it comes to having a baby, there are a lot of decisions to make. Catholic Health has launched a new website, healthymomhealthybaby.org, to help guide mothers and families through the pregnancy journey. The site, designed for expectant mothers or women contemplating pregnancy, explores maternity services available throughout Catholic Health.

Pope Francis has spoken about providing a "moral and religious" education for all children. The diocesan Department of Catholic Education took that to heart when planning the annual education convocation. This year's theme "All Our Welcome; Learning Knows No Bounds," addressed the need to provide the strong teaching that Catholic schools are known for to all students regardless of race, economic class or special needs.

The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of the moral vision of society. Kevin Upendran, a student of Christ the King seminary studying for the priesthood in Hamilton, Ontario, has seriously considered that idea. He holds a medical degree and has met with several women who did not see new life as such an important thing.

While at Mount Mercy Academy Melissa Graham Kuberka (Class of 2009) was recognized as a talented student-athlete. She won multiple honors in athletics, including Senior Athlete of the Year and academically was the salutatorian of her class. Her academic and athletic prowess continued at the State University of New York at Geneseo. Kuberka, a former resident of Orchard Park, credits her time at Mount Mercy with providing her a strong base for both academics and athletics.

The Church of the Annunciation has begun expansion of its 112-year-old historic cemetery. The expansion will offer a more sacred space and park like setting directly behind the old cemetery on Girdle Road in Elma.

The Book of Psalms contains the "Word of God" in the words of humans. Of the 150 Psalms in our biblical book, more than half of them are psalms of lament. Unfortunately, these psalms, at least the lament sections, are not used commonly in our Sunday lectionary and so we may have lost touch with this dimension of prayer; we need to recover it.

A little bit of Africa came to Buffalo when the Office of Cultural Diversity held its annual African bazaar. The event, Held at Our Lady of hope Parish in Buffalo, raised money to help Vive La Casa Refugee Center in Buffalo.

BALTIMORE, MD. (CNA/EWTN News) - The U.S. bishops have formally begun discussion of a new set of standards of conduct and a special commission to investigate accusations made against bishops.

BALTIMORE, MD. - More than 20 bishops and cardinals offered passionate interventions during an open floor discussion on the sex abuse crisis at the U.S. bishops' meeting in Baltimore on Tuesday afternoon.

Sitting in the office of NativityMiguel Middle School, Sister Timothy Howard, OSP, reminds her students to say, "Excuse me" as they come in for a hall pass. Sister Timothy has taught in Buffalo for nearly 50 years. She is now one of only two Oblate Sisters of Providence in the Diocese of Buffalo.

Just as mothers made lunches for their children and buttoned their coats when they were sent off to school, Blue Star Mothers are still making sure their children have a healthy snack and warm clothes even when the children are deployed around the world. Blue Star Mothers are the mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who support their children serving in the military, guard or reserves, or are veterans. They also care for each other and promote patriotism.

After graduating from Hutchinson Central High School in 1941, with plans on attending college, Russel Bracco began working at Curtiss-Wright aircraft plant in Cheektowaga building P-40 Warhawk fighter planes as part of the war effort.

Bishop Richard J. Malone said there are no priests currently in ministry that he is aware of with credible allegations against them. He also addressed plans expand current abuse safeguards to protect adults as well as minors. The bishop spoke with media on Nov. 5, to answer concerns regarding sexual abuse by members of local clergy. The bishop, along with chancery staff, explained the history of abuse, steps taken to prevent it, and the diocesan compensation program for victims.

Buffalo native Tom Fontana, who has written and produced such groundbreaking television series as "St. Elsewhere," "Homicide: Life on the Street," and "Oz," will take part in the Downtown Jesuits Distinguished Speaker Series Saturday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. at St. Michael Church, 651 Washington St., in downtown Buffalo.

On Nov. 5, 2018, the Diocese of Buffalo released another list of priests with substantiated claims of sexual abuse of a minor. This is in addition to the original list published in March 2018. Priests who received a single allegation after their death are not included. Death dates for diocesan priests are in parenthesis.

After receiving abuse complaints against Msgr. Frederick R. Leising and Father Ronald P. Sajdak, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Msgr. Leising and Father Sajdak on administrative leave as an investigation continues.

As we move through this extremely difficult time in the Church's history, at the forefront of my mind each day and foremost in my prayers are all victims who have suffered at the hands of clergy they trusted. My heart hurts and I share in the anger, grief and disappointment felt by so many. This crisis has shaken our community of believers to its core. But as Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, "With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible." Those words couldn't be truer. We as human beings are completely inept to do anything on our own, but with God, there is hope.

After receiving an abuse complaint against Father Michael P. Juran, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Father Juran on administrative leave as an investigation continues.

BALTIMORE — Do you need an excuse to drink that second, third ... or even fourth cup of coffee? We've got you covered, but not with just any old coffee - we have coffee with a cause. For a limited time, you can purchase "Mama Tierra" coffee, created through a partnership between Catholic Relief Services and Equal Exchange. Proceeds from coffee sales will benefit CRS' work with coffee farming communities throughout Mexico and Central America.

On May 3, Dr. Stanley L. Bukowski, a third-generation physician from Buffalo, testified before the State Assembly Health Committee in opposition to the legalization of physician-assisted suicide. For 34 years, Bukowski has been a primary care internal medicine physician with experience in caring for the chronically ill, the disabled and the dying. The following are excerpts from his testimony.

Father Richard A. Jesionowski of the Diocese of Buffalo, died Oct. 27, 2018, just months after retiring at the age of 84.

ST. BONAVENTURE — When most freshmen are taking the year to get adjusted to new class schedules and college life, Rachel Hoag accomplished all that and still found time to establish a new club on campus with a very important focus — helping service dogs in training for veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Bishop Malone and the entire Diocese of Buffalo family would like to express the sympathy and prayers of the Catholic Community of Western New York after the horrific events in Pittsburgh yesterday.

The following is the statement Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo released to "60 Minutes" in advance of their upcoming story on the Diocese of Buffalo. The diocese also released it to the public.

St. Mary Parish in Canaseraga wants to give everyone in the diocese a big thank you for helping the orphaned and abandoned children in Ghana. The Allegany County parish has successfully bought a van for Sister Stan Terese Mumuni's Nazareth Home for God's Children with the many generous donations from the community.