Parishes Present Alternatives to Buffalo Diocese Merger

Thirty of the 36 parish families in the Buffalo Diocese are presenting formal alternatives to the diocese regarding mergers and closures proposed by diocesan officials in June.

The six families that did not provide new recommendations include Family No. 5 in Chautauqua County, Family No. 19 in Amherst, Family No. 27 in southern Erie County, Family No. 32 – which includes parishes on Buffalo’s East Side – Family No. 34 in northern Niagara County, and then Family No. 36, which includes all parishes on college campuses in western New York.

“We look forward to meeting with all of our parish families to discuss what is best for us as we move forward on our journey toward renewal,” Father Bryan Zielenieski, diocesan vicar for renewal and development, said in a statement.

The diocese says final recommendations will be determined by Sept. 1.