EDITORIAL Shocking in both swiftness and number, church closures are hitting hard throughout Western New York. Catholic parishioners are grieving over these losses. Many are angry.
Both emotions call for understanding and engagement from the Buffalo Diocese. Over the past 10 years, there has been little respite for this community of the faithful. It has been decimated by dwindling attendance, staff shortages, parish mergers and a cascade of 900 sexual abuse claims – which resulted in the diocese filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Now, the names of individual churches that will close in 2025 are being made known, with more than 35 announced so far and many more to come. Grim reality has set in. It is simply not financially possible for the diocese to keep all these churches open.
But knowledge of this admittedly calamitous position can't take away the pain. These are beloved institutions that have been part of peoples' lives for generations. Parishes that have already shared resources through forming "families" will now have to merge outright with others, with parishioners having no choice but to attend different churches.
While some Catholics will find conveniently located alternatives among the churches that remain open, many will not. And many don't want to. There's no way to sugarcoat this pill, but the diocese must do all it can to accommodate its faithful.
In part, it is doing this by asking the leaders of parish families – clergy, trustees, deacons – to discuss the.
