The Dicastery for Clergy rules on St. Michael recourse for merger with St. Louis

The Diocese of Buffalo received communication this week from the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Clergy that a decision had been reached in the hierarchical recourse against the merger decree involving St. Michael Parish and St. Louis Parish, both in Buffalo.

The dicastery decided in favor of Bishop Michael W. Fisher and issued a decree upholding his decision to merge St. Michael into St. Louis. The individual who made recourse against the Oct. 9, 2024, decree has made his intention known to seek further recourse. The case will likely now go before the highest administrative court of the Holy See, the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

As Bishop Fisher and the Diocesan Renewal Office have previously communicated, any decree of merger or closure that is challenged, will be suspended until those contesting the decision have exhausted all opportunities for recourse.

The Diocese of Buffalo appreciates the work of the Dicastery for the Clergy and looks forward to receiving the remaining decisions on pending recourse matters in the near future.