BUFFALO (NY)
WKBW [Buffalo NY]
August 12, 2025
By Eileen Buckley
[See also the lawsuit.]
Nine parishes in Western New York are taking legal action to stop payments toward the Diocese of Buffalo’s proposed $150 million settlement with more than 800 survivors of sexual abuse.
The settlement was announced in April, and the diocese said it would be paid through unrestricted funds of the diocese and individual parishes, as well as contributions from members of Catholic affiliates.
In June, parishes learned how much they’re being asked to pay towards the settlement. The contribution percentages range from 10 to 80 percent of each parish’s unrestricted cash and investments, with the highest percentage applied to parishes scheduled to be closed or merged.
The parishes that are taking legal action are slated to close and merge with other parishes under the Road to Renewal, but received suspensions from the Vatican as their appeals are reviewed.
The lawsuit filed against the diocese is in protest of the 80% contribution these parishes have been asked to make toward the settlement.
Diocesan lawyers say the parishes must help settle the 900 Child Victims Act (CVA) cases against the diocese. However, parish lawyers argue that it would collapse these churches.
“Because in effect, it would destroy these parishes,” said John Flaherty, an attorney for the parishes.
The attorneys for the parishes both say the diocese has to honor the suspensions by the Vatican, but diocese lawyers say it would have a “profound impact” on the proposed settlement.
“There has been a suggestion throughout the papers that this is just a diocese’s liability — these parishes have nothing to do with it — your honor, that’s absolutely false,” said Stephn Sharkey, diocese attorney. “These parishes themselves have been named in dozens of these cases, and they face independent exposure, legally themselves.”
“And the parishes that are the subject matter of this lawsuit will be left staring down the barrel of a very big gun,” said diocese attorney Charles Sullivan. “They will be left to defend the CVA actions.”
Mary Pruski, with Save Our Buffalo Churches, is part of this lawsuit. I asked her about concerns of parishes being held responsible, on their own, for these cases.
“It’s very scary, and the channeling injunction is again something that doesn’t seem as secure as they had promised in the past,” she said. “Many of the victims have come forward to say they also have a say in accepting the settlement, and many have said they are not going to vote to accept it.”
The judge said he will need a “little bit of time” to review all the materials and arguments before he can decide on this lawsuit.
“We do want the survivors to receive whatever payment due that they are going to be awarded, but we can’t do that on the back of parishes being harmed,” Pruski said.
Below are the churches involved in the lawsuit against the Buffalo Diocese:
- Blessed Sacrament in Tonawanda
- Our Lady of Peace in Clarence
- St. Aloysius Gonzaga in Cheektowaga
- St. John XXIII in West Seneca
- St. Bernadette in Orchard Park
- All Saints Parish in Lockport
- Holy Apostles Parish in Jamestown
- St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta in Depew
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and Diocese Shrine in Bowmansville
Eileen.Buckley@wkbw.com