BUFFALO (NY)
WBFO
October 1, 2018
By Mike Desmond
Western New York Catholics gathered Sunday in St. Joseph’s Cathedral for an hour of Reparation and Healing. A small group of protesters was also there.
Bishop Richard Malone called for the event, so that Catholics could come together to pray for the victims of clergy abuse, to pray for those who offended and for the forgiveness of the church leaders who failed to respond adequately – something the bishop admitted during a short homily during the service.
Many of those who entered the cathedral through the front doors saw a small group of protesters who want the bishop to resign, saying he has failed to deal with the problems of abusive priests in the diocese, as the number of accused diocesan clergy has continued to rise.
While Malone has acknowledged what he calls “past inadequacies” in his handling of complaints, he says he will not resign.
One of the protesters, Robert Hoatson, is a former priest removed for supporting abuse victims. Hoatson said only church members can force change.
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