BUFFALO (NY)
Spectrum News [New York NY]
June 18, 2025
By Mark Goshgarian
Parishioners across the Diocese of Buffalo are making their voices heard, days after church leaders unveiled how much they expect individual parishes to contribute to the Chapter 11 settlement fund.
It’s a plan that includes parishes and other related civil corporations and affiliates, like Catholic Charities, to make an expected contribution of $80 million of the $150 million outlined in the terms of the settlement to survivors of abuse.
It’s a settlement being met with opposition, especially from churches slated to merge or close.
Ann Dolce directs the music ministry at Saints Peter and Paul in Jamestown, Chautauqua County. Her husband Tony co-directs and has been a parishioner for 45 years.
“I was confirmed here,” Tony Dolce said. “We were married here. It’s been an integral part of our family and our religious faith.”
The church, one of several in the Diocese of Buffalo to close and merge, is still awaiting a decision from the Vatican on its appeal to remain open. It too is being asked to contribute to the $150 million settlement for hundreds of sexual abuse claims.
“[It] kind of pulls the rug out from underneath you,” Tony Dolce said. “Every time we gain a little momentum, something else happens.”
The diocese released its plan, after a series of meetings with church leadership, giving each parish a detailed statement of what it owes based on its own annual reporting.
“The intent was to educate those who were most impacted first and to allow them to cascade that information within their congregation,” Catholic Diocese of Buffalo Chief Operating Officer Rick Suchan said. “Their faith communities, before going public with any of the details.”
Contribution percentages range from 10% for parishes with cash and investments less than $250,000 to 80% for parishes like Holy Apostles.
“It’s really our collective responsibility as a Catholic family,” Suchan said. “It’s really one for all and one for all. It’s what Jesus would do.”
The plan comes as the diocese is in the midst of its Road to Renewal, a separate initiative designed for parishes to share resources and strengthen their faith.
“It’s hard to pick up and renew when you’re pulling hard-earned funds away from parishes,” Tony said. “Individuals who are really passionate about their faith and are open to evangelizing others to welcome them into the Church, that regardless of this situation, which is a past tense situation, once we resolve this matter, that they will come back, that they will be more than willing to support the initiatives of the Catholic Church moving forward.”
Until then, the parish is exploring all its options.
“Hoping that we’re able to figure out a way to slow this down and stop it,” Tony said.
If the parish wins its appeal and stays open, the diocese will reimburse the church for the difference between the 80% and the amount it would have charged, as the money will be held in reserve. The plan has caught the attention of the New York State Attorney General’s Office. The diocese says it would willingly cooperate. Parishes have until July 15 to make their contribution.