BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Vatican has responded with letters to 14 area churches slated to close or merge as part of the Diocese of Buffalo’s Road to Renewal. The letters call to suspend the closings/mergers during a review by the Vatican.
The following churches received letters from the Dicasterium Pro Clericis after sending appeals to Rome
The Dicastery states the petition sent “has been legitimately presented” and that it “accepts” the appeal for “examination”. It also states the “suspension” of the merger has been “granted” during the duration of “recourse”.
“The Dicastery has placed itself in correspondence with Bishop Fisher and will communicate with you again when his response has been studied.”
The following churches received the letters:
- Infant of Prague, Cheektowaga
- St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Cheektowaga
- Blessed Sacrament, Tonawanda
- St. John XXIII, West Seneca
- Holy Spirit, north Buffalo
- St. Bernadette, Orchard Park
- Ascension, Batavia
- St. Bridgid, Bergen
- St. Rose of Lima, Forestville
- Our Lady of the Rosary, Wilson
- St. John de LaSalle, Niagara Falls
- Our Lady of Peace, Salamanca
- St. Benedict, Eggertsville
- All Saints, Lockport
Ellen and Tim Zelasko, long-time parishioners of Infant of Prague, expressed cautious optimism after receiving the news.
“It is a bit of a reprieve, but it is just for now,” Ellen Zelasko said. Tim echoed her sentiments, adding, “We’re very, very happy right now.”
The couple’s church had been slated for closure and merger with nearby Saints Peter and Paul in Williamsville by June 8th. However, the Vatican’s decision to pause these changes has offered some hope to concerned parishioners.
"It was very encouraging to me to see that everybody that got their letters at the same time means that the Vatican knows what's going on here in Buffalo, and that's important,” Ellen said.
"There's just a lot of good going on here, and we want to continue that," Tim noted.
The diocesan closure plan has drawn criticism from local groups, including Save Our Buffalo Churches. Mary Pruski, a spokesperson for the group, described the Vatican’s intervention as a chance to explore alternative solutions to the diocese’s financial struggles.
“We’ve said before the bankruptcy and the need to support the victims of abuse, as well as the priest shortage,” Pruski stated. “But canon law clearly says those are temporary things that can be solved, probably in other ways. Don’t close your parishes.”
"If something was violated, I would be happy to know so we can correct it," remarked Father Bryan Zielenieski, the Diocese’s Vicar for Renewal and Development.
Late Tuesday afternoon, the Buffalo Diocese met with reporters, saying this was expected and is the next step of the process.
“This was all expected,” Zielenieski said. “While you’re seeking recourse, everything stays as is while you work with your family of parishes in moving forward.”
Father Peter Santandreu, Vice Chancellor and Adjutant Judicial Vicar for the Diocese of Buffalo, elaborated on the next steps. “What the dicastery of the clergy has given us the opportunity to do is to fill in the gaps,” Santandreu said. “We can provide more information about the situation here in Buffalo to help them make an educated decision.”
The diocesan leadership stressed that this pause will allow both sides to present their cases to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Clergy. “Now, everything gets put on pause until a decision is reached,” Father Zielenieski confirmed.
In addition to the 14 churches facing closure, the Diocese’s decision to close St. Bernadette Parish in Orchard Park is also on hold. Long-time parishioner and former broadcaster Danny Neaverth shared his concerns with 7 News. “
I don’t know what’s going to happen with the Vatican ruling. It’s almost like politics everywhere,” Neaverth said.
For now, the Diocese’s closures and mergers will remain on hold until the Vatican makes a final decision. The diocese has also confirmed that Bishop Michael Fisher met with a Vatican delegation in Washington, D.C., last week to discuss the ongoing situation.
“We acknowledge that everything gets put on pause until a decision is reached,” Father Zielenieski concluded.
In February, 7 News reported St. Michael's Church in downtown Buffalo also had its closing placed on hold as the Vatican conducts a review of its appeal.
