Local organization reacts to Bishop’s trip to the Vatican

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) “It’s what he didn’t say.” Mary Pruski with Save Our Buffalo Churches offered her takeaway on Bishop Michael Fisher’s recent visit to the Vatican and his meeting with Pope Leo.

“The Bishop has a way of putting a positive spin on what he wants people
to feel assured about,” said Pruski.

Bishop Fisher was in Rome for eight days, discussing the Diocese bankruptcy and the plan to restructure parishes.

Fisher mentioned in his interview with WBEN that there have been eleven decisions handed down that support the Diocese.

Pruski clarified it by saying they are two-part decisions.

“The part they upheld was that the Diocese cannot use the parish money
to use for the bankruptcy settlement. And where they said they upheld the mergers, they offered the evidence that was used, and it was incorrect data. The recourse continues as the parishes are now submitting correct data.”

If the Vatican does not consider the new data, Pruski said they have one more option. The Apostolic Signatura, which is the highest judicial authority in the Catholic Church. She added, “we are going all the way.”

The Bishop indicated that he’s following the process. Pruski said the process is flawed and has to be reformed. as it is dividing more people than it’s unifying.

“We need to see healing. We need to see trust,” said Pruski.