BUFFALO (NY)
Spectrum News [New York NY]
March 26, 2026
By Halena Sepulveda
Thursday marked the final day of victim impact statements in the federal bankruptcy case against the Diocese of Buffalo.
Originally set to run over four sessions in court, it was decided to extend the number of sessions to six to make sure all of the victims who wanted to speak to the court had the opportunity to do so.
The diocese filed for bankruptcy protection back in 2020 regarding the claims of abuse, so emotions were high with some of those who spoke throughout these sessions.
Many victims continued to criticize the diocese for allowing this alleged abuse to go on for far too long under the order of former Bishop Richard Malone, and also criticizing the diocese and current Bishop Michael Fisher for not doing enough now during this process to support the victims.
These statement sessions have been part of a settlement agreement, so now it isn’t a matter of if the diocese will pay the victims but rather a matter of when that payment will come and how much it will be.
As the completion of settling the claims for more than 900 survivors draws closer, the settlement agreement is projected to be more than $300 million between the diocese, its parishes and some insurance carriers.
Spectrum News 1 reached out to the diocese for comment now that statements are finished, and was told Bishop Fisher was advised not to make a statement until the settlement plan is confirmed.