BUFFALO (NY)
WBEN NewsRadio [Buffalo NY]
November 18, 2025
By Brian Mazurowski
The group fighting to keep Buffalo churches open amidst the Diocese’s bankruptcy is joining forces with groups representing survivors of child abuse and former Hospital employees to free up $1 Billion in funds.
Save Our Buffalo Churches is leading the effort to tap into the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, which holds proceeds from a $3.2 Billion sale of Fidelis Care, to free $1 Billion to help pay the abuse case settlement in Buffalo, among other things across the state.
“There’s well over $3 Billion that’s there,” said Mary Pruski with Save Our Buffalo Churches. “The lawyers looking at the project said this is a very worthy cause. If it’s a bill and it’s passed, they will be forced to hand over what we’re asking for… $1 Billion.”
$120 Million from the fund would be enough to repay all parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo for their contribution to the abuse settlement, and cover the costs of those parishes that did not pay.
The money in the fund originated from the Archdiocese of New York selling Fidelis Care before its assets could be used against them in Child Victims Act lawsuits.
Releasing the funds would require passing a law in Albany, something Pruski said has the support of some lawmakers, but not a sponsor to move forward. The coalition has sent a letter to the Foundation’s board arguing that the Cabrini Fund has the ability to support the victims impacted by Catholic institutions.
“We don’t know why (the money is) sitting there,” Pruski said. “We’re saying at least some of that money from the Catholic Archdiocese needs to go to our victims. It gives peace and healing to everyone and finally puts this whole episode behind us.”
The other portion of the $1 Billion would go toward paying the pensions of St. Clare’s Hospital employees.