Buffalo Diocese

Chapter 11 bankruptcy is an option for a Buffalo diocese that is facing numerous lawsuits along with state and federal investigations. There have been several filings in recent years by religious orders or Dioceses around the country. So what comes next? Bankruptcy expert and UB Academic Affairs Vice-Dean Todd Brown spoke with Canisius College President John Hurley on the matter at this weekend’s Movement to Restore Trust symposium.

"Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Richard J. Malone from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Buffalo and has appointed Most Reverend Edward B. Scharfenberger, Bishop of Albany, as the Apostolic Administrator of Buffalo to serve until the installation of a new bishop," announced the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops early Wednesday morning.

A correspondent for London-based weekly Catholic news publication The Tablet, citing "reliable sources," suggests Bishop Richard Malone's resignation is "imminent," in advance of a Friday meeting between Pope Francis and the bishops of dioceses of New York State.

A former local man who says he was sexually abused by a Catholic priest in the 1980s is taking the Diocese of Buffalo to court.

Steven Timmel, the Buffalo Catholic Diocese’s chief financial officer, is resigning. The move becomes effective at the end of this upcoming January. It’s another one of Bishop Richard Malone’s staff members to step down over the past year as the diocese continues to handle the clergy abuse scandal.

The woman who formerly worked as the executive assistant to Roman Catholic Bishop Richard Malone stood on a sidewalk across the street from her former workplace Tuesday morning, explaining her decision to secretly share private diocesan documents regarding clergy linked to alleged sexual misconduct. It was Siobhan O'Connor's first local appearance since her story aired on national news programs including CBS's 60 Minutes.

Western New York Catholics gathered Sunday in St. Joseph's Cathedral for an hour of Reparation and Healing. A small group of protesters was also there.

Buffalo Bishop Richard Malone gathered local media members Sunday to read a statement in which he pledged to remain in his post despite widening calls for his resignation. He took no questions while vowing to take corrective measures in dealing with accusations of sexual abuse by clergy members.

The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo has launched an ambitious $100 million capital and endowment campaign. The campaign, dubbed Upon This Rock, was kicked off at Cardinal O'Hara High School in Tonawanda Thursday morning.