BUFFALO (NY)
Spectrum News 1 [Buffalo, NY]
October 1, 2025
The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo has unveiled its bankruptcy reorganization plan meant to help settle all of the clergy abuse cases it is facing.
The diocese filed its Chapter 11 reorganization plan in federal bankruptcy court Wednesday.
Documents released by the diocese show a settlement trust will be formed to evaluate abuse cases and decide how much each claim will receive. That’s to be paid out from an abuse claims settlement fund of nearly $274 million — $150 million of that money comes from local parishes, some the diocese has forced to close or merge with other churches.
“Since becoming Bishop nearly five years ago, I have continued to assert that we have no higher priority than to work toward the healing of those who have been harmed spiritually, mentally and physically by the crime of sexual abuse, and to provide some semblance of justice and closure,” Bishop Michael Fisher said in a statement. “This plan represents our best effort to deliver on that priority, as we also work to define a new, more hopeful era of Catholic faith and impact across our region.”