Buffalo Catholic Diocese

Catholic priests from across the region will be meeting in East Aurora Tuesday to discuss the clergy sex abuse crisis.

As the Child Victims Act was being approved Monday, four victims were in an Amherst law firm conference room with their attorneys, talking about their cases and what the new law does for them.

Many have voiced the opinion that giving more laity - and, specifically, women - positions of leadership in the Catholic Church would help avoid sexual abuse scandals like the one now consuming the faith and its faithful. In the Buffalo diocese, there are a series of positions open to lay people, but ultimate power always remains with clergy. Even so, one empowering model may light the way to the future.

The Catholic Diocese is carrying through with its promise to sell off property to help pay victims of sexual abuse.

A smoky blaze caused damaged inside St. Joseph's Cathedral in downtown Buffalo early Friday morning. 

One of the most diverse populations of students can be found inside a west side Catholic elementary school in Buffalo. Many students at Our Lady of Black Rock are able to attend through the Catholic Diocese Bison fund. WBFO's Focus on Education Reporter Eileen Buckley visited the school to find out how educators are engaging students despite high poverty and language barriers.

A message from Pope Francis regarding forgiveness for repentant women who had abortions has raised eyebrows on both sides of the often-contentious issue.

There is a new leader at the helm of Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora.  The Rev. Joseph Gatto  recently began his new position as President-Rector.  In this Focus on Education report WBFO'S Eileen Buckley says growth is occurring on the campus, as new seminarians are studying to become priests and laity seek theologian teachings. 

Catholic Bishop Richard Malone says the situation in the Holy Land is more complex than they thought, after returning from a visit with a delegation of bishops from across the country.

A  former catholic grade school, closed by the Diocese of Buffalo, has re-opened as a pre-school.  New students celebrated a ribbon cutting at St. Bernadette Early Childhood Academy on South Abbott Road in Orchard Park.  In this Focus on Education report WBFO'S Eileen Buckley says the young students were excited, but some parents remain angry at the Diocese for closing the elementary school.

Many Western New Yorkers marvel at the grandeur of Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna, built in the 1920s. A local television crew from the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo spent hours researching and conducting interviews to create a documentary that will air across the U.S.  It provides the back story of how the Venerable Father Nelson Baker accomplished the task.

The Diocese of Buffalo announced Wednesday that ten Catholic elementary schools will be closing their doors at the end of this school year. The Diocese believes the closures will strengthen the Catholic education system across western New York.

Buffalo Bishop Richard Malone has responded to the new dialog recently issued by Pope Francis. In this week's Press Pass conversation, WBFO's Eileen Buckley talks with Buffalo News reporter Brian Meyer about his recent In-Focus interview with Bishop Malone.