Newsletter April 2, 2026

Save St. John’s Newsletter – April 2, 2026

• We await an answer from the Dicastery regarding our merger appeal.  The 90 day extension they sent us expired on April 1.  Responses can take weeks to arrive here when issued.  A follow up to the Dicastery will be sent in the coming days if we don’t receive their response.  Please pray for a favorable outcome here so we don’t have to go the next step, the Apostolic Signatura.

• On March 25^th I, along with 3 others from Save Our Buffalo Churches, spoke to Judge Bucki at the Bankruptcy Court in Buffalo.  This was an opportunity for us to provide the Judge our comments related to the way the Bishop is handling the settlement process.  Bishop Fisher attended and has been present for all of these public comment periods.  It is important for the Judge to hear the reasons why the Bishop’s plan is contrary to Canon Law.  The Judge was very attentive and acknowledged our concerns. Based on his comments regarding the extensive amount of documentation the diocese continues to owe the Court, I don’t expect a final ruling for at least several more months.  It is a difficult time in our diocese for the victims and the parishes that are dealing with the actions of the Bishop.  Abuse survivors are very frustrated with how long the settlement process has taken.  I take the following from a Facebook post regarding an article written in the Buffalo News:  "I draw the line at abuse survivors becoming indignant at the suggestion that there are no other victims in this scenario.  Why the indignation?  Because it represents a threat to money.  This money belongs to parishes and the seizure of which threatens to destroy their parishes.  Our Church law says the victims are not entitled to parish money in the way it is being seized here.  That demands justice.  The victims are entitled to proper restitution, but not at the cost of further victimization.  No one is saying that the victimization is the same-but one class of victims has no right to pronounce judgement on another."  These are very difficult circumstances and frustration continues for all regarding the plan that the Bishop is pushing.

• At the end of the proceedings at the Bankruptcy Court a lawyer for the diocese announced without detail that the 80% assessment level has been changed.  It has since been released that assessments for parishes targeted for merger will be based on the available funds of combined parishes, after the merger.   This would mean, if St. John’s ultimately does merge with St. Mary’s a new assessment amount will be calculated based on the combination of funds.  At this time we do not know what the new amount would be.  We do know Father Dennis took money ($211,800) from St. John’s accounts and put it in the St. Joseph Settlement account.  We continue to strongly object to this as we had received a Suspension document from the Dicastery regarding our assessment.  It remains to be seen if we will get the money back or not.  We suspect the Dicastery advised the Bishop that his assessment plan was not allowed and that now he is taking this new approach.

• Our CRCF account received 20 more donations in March and the current balance at the end of March is $14,606.  Please recall that some of this money may be used to support our Apostolic Signatura appeal, should it be needed.  It has also been discussed that some of this money may be used to support Festa, which is scheduled for July 18^th.  Festa will be very similar to past festivals, with Italian food, kids events, bocce, several bands, etc...

• Vos Estis – Save Our Buffalo Churches has extended the mandate signing period until mid April to ensure as many Catholics and non Catholics in our diocese can sign on.  Please continue to discuss this among family and friends and advise regarding persons who are interested to sign.  I will provide information and Mandates as requested.  Thanks to all who have signed here, over 250, so far!

• Watchlist:  A Watchlist meeting with the diocese is scheduled for April 15. We had one in June 2025, with little to no feedback.   I am confident Father David will communicate after this latest meeting is held.  The Watchlist was established by the diocese for us as a Secondary Worship Site, but we are not a Secondary Worship Site.  Our appeal being accepted by the Dicastery meant we remain a Parish throughout the recourse process.  This is another point of frustration and reason for Vos Estis.

• Pope Leo prayer for Priests – Pope Leo released the following prayer for Priests, to be used in April.  Please pray it for Father David, Father John and all priests. 

Good Father, teach us as a community to care for our priests: to listen without judging, to give thanks without demanding perfection, to share with them the baptismal mission of proclaiming the Kingdom in word and deed, and to accompany them with closeness and sincere prayer.  Rekindle in our priests the joy of the Gospel.  Grant them healthy friendships, networks of fraternal support, a sense of humor when things don’t go as expected, and grace to always rediscover the beauty of their vocation.  May they never lose trust in You, nor the joy of serving your Church with a humble and generous heart.                                                                

• This Easter, as we see record numbers of people around the country joining the Catholic faith, please pray that our diocese will see stability and growth again, very soon.

Happy Easter, Everyone

Dan

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