Final parish mergers announced

Calling it a “significant day in the life of our diocese,” Bishop Michael W. Fisher, along with Father Bryan Zielenieski announced the final decisions for the parish mergers and closings in the Diocese of Buffalo at a news conference Sept. 10 at the downtown Catholic Center.

Bishop Fisher explained the renewal process is to ensure a “stronger, more connected and mutually dependent Catholic community” in the diocese and has been a “constant preoccupation and my responsibility” ever since coming to Western New York in January 2021.

The diocese currently has 160 parishes, many with multiple worship sites. A total of 118 churches will remain open. That breaks down to 79 parishes and 39 secondary worship sites. A secondary worship site is classified as a church that does not function as a standalone parish, but will be available for Masses and worship.

Dioceses across the nation have had to deal with the harsh realities of declining Church attendance, the decline of those pursuing religious vocations to ordained ministry, the rise of secularism, and shifts away from the parish as a defining center of Catholic identity, as well as the sexual abuse scandal. All these factors went into the creation of the Road to Renewal initiative in 2020.

“For the diocese to fulfill the spiritual and physical needs of the Catholic faithful here in the diocese, we must face these realities squarely without any illusions or false expectations that we have some kind of divine rescue plan,” Bishop Fisher said.

Initial recommendations were made to vicar foranes, pastors, parochial vicars and parish representatives last June based on a number of factors including sacramental activity, Mass attendance, financial health and the number of priests available overall. Counter proposals from all Parish Families were heard in August during hour-long meetings. Ministerial needs in the community and the importance of schools were some of the factors considered in counter proposals.

Bishop Fisher said the decisions were made with “extensive consultation and prayer.”

“From the beginning, the Road to Renewal has always been about reinvigorating our Catholic faith, more fully optimizing parish and diocesan resources, and increasing the impact of our varied ministries,” he said. “The ultimate goal is for all parish families to be and remain vibrant communities of faith focused on their evangelizing mission in serving – always serving – those in need.”     

Father Zielenieski, vicar for Renewal and Development for the diocese, outlined a list of parishes that will remain open, parishes that will become secondary worship sites, and parishes that will merge and close.

Consultation came from leaders in the diocese and other dioceses.

“I want to assure everyone, as vicar for Renewal, that this was taken very seriously and we made sure that consultation that was needed took place and canonical procedures were followed extensively,” he said.

Mergers will take place between October and June 1, 2025. The bishop and Father Zielenieski will meet with priests and lay leaders on Sept. 17 to select dates for the mergers, discuss requirements to merge, and begin organizing transition teams.

Bishop Fisher closed out the news conference by thanking those parish leaders for their support.

“Once again, I thank you for your concern, for your work, and all that you do in promoting and looking out for the good of our community here in Buffalo, in Western New York,” he said. “We’re in this together. Bless you.”