Catholic Charities CEO Deacon Schumer announces retirement

Deacon Steve Schumer, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Buffalo, announced his retirement to the agency’s board of trustees on Thursday, July 10 and in a video message to staff and volunteers today. Deacon Schumer’s retirement becomes effective on Dec. 31. 

Quoting scripture in his message to staff, Deacon Schumer said, “Scripture tells us that there is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens (EC 3:1). I consider the time I have served as president and CEO of Catholic Charities to have been both an honor and a blessing.” 

He added, “I’ve spent much time in prayerful discernment and with confidence and clarity, I can say that the time is right to step into retirement and to enjoy time with my family. I am blessed with a supportive and loving wife and two young grandchildren who live very close by, and I look forward to being there for them as well as my continued ministry as a deacon of the Church.” 

Appointed by the agency’s board of trustees in 2019, Deacon Schumer leads a team of more than 300 employees and countless volunteers serving nearly 150,000 children, individuals, families and seniors across the agency’s eight-county service area. Catholic Charities of Buffalo delivers 50 programs and services for those most in need at dozens of locations. 

Deacon Schumer has been at the helm through some of the agency’s most challenging times, including the Covid pandemic and difficulties associated with Diocese of Buffalo’s Chapter 11 settlement. “Deacon Steve was the right leader at the right time for this ministry, and we are grateful for his dedicated service over these past six years. We wish him all the best for a long and happy retirement,” said Bishop Michael W. Fisher, chair of the board of trustees for Catholic Charities. 

The 65-year-old Hamburg native joined Catholic Charities following a more than three-decade long career with M&T Bank where he served in a variety of leadership roles. 

The board of trustees will form a search committee to identify a successor for Deacon Schumer when he departs Catholic Charities in December.