BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — In September 2024, the Diocese of Buffalo announced that churches would be closed or merged as part of its “Road to Renewal” and its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring process.
The diocese declared bankruptcy in 2020 as it faced hundreds of sex abuse lawsuits, and in April, the diocese announced it reached a $150 million settlement with more than 800 survivors of sexual abuse. The diocese said the settlement 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…