Diocese of Buffalo recommends rightsizing and reshaping campus ministry family

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini

8 minutes ago

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Diocese of Buffalo has issued a recommendation to resize and reshape Family No. 36, which includes numerous universities and colleges in Western New York.

According to a letter obtained at St. Joseph University Parish, only one active priest for the family is projected by 2030. This would affect the University of Buffalo’s North Campus and South Campus vicariate, Buffalo State College, Daemen University, D. Youville University and Canisius College, among others.

The parish says the family needs a one-year evaluation to determine effectiveness and would now come under the authority of the Buffalo Vicar Forane. Additionally, they say someone needs to be hired to coordinate the entire campus ministry of the diocese. Retired priests may be needed to help if the family ends up with an assigned priest in the future.

The letter specifically mentions the UB Newman Center, saying that if it were sold, the reassessment of Family No. 36 should take place “immediately.”

The next meeting of the diocese is scheduled for Monday at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Ransomville.