Buffalo Diocese to announce final mergers, closures Tuesday
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Buffalo Diocese said it will announce its final decisions on the mergers and closures of parishes and worship sites in a news conference Tuesday at the Catholic Center.
The conference, which the diocese said will provide an “overview of the decision process,” will be livestreamed through this article at 10 a.m.
In May, the diocese announced plans to merge or close approximately one-third of the 160 parishes in the region amid financial troubles from settling sexual abuse allegations in addition to a priest shortage and declining Mass attendance.
A full list of approximately 54 parishes affected was released by the diocese in June. Bishop Michael Fisher said 52 different counter proposals were made by parish families.
The list was expected to be finalized by Sept. 1 with mergers starting in October, but Fisher said in August that the timeline would be pushed back after receiving the counter proposals.
A local group of Catholics working to appeal church closures through the Catholic headachy has launched a website for other parishes to reach out to them to join their appeal.
To read all of WIVB News 4’s coverage on the Buffalo Diocese restructuring, click here.
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Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.
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