Newsletter September 25, 2025

The Bishop and his team have an upcoming meeting in Rome in October, date not known at this time.  The Bishop, Richard Suchan (Chief Financial Officer), and Father Bryan Zielenieski (Vicar for Renewal and Development) will be meeting with the Pope and his team.  Philip Gray (Canon Lawyer) thinks this is not a typical status review, which Bishops are required to have with the Pope every five years.  Philip Gray thinks this meeting is the result of the large numbers of appeals and letters that the Dicastery has received from Diocese of Buffalo churches.  We pray this is the case and that the Bishop receives corrective counseling.  The Dicastery did specifically advise the Diocese that Parish funds cannot be used in the bankruptcy settlement.  This is an extremely important piece of information, and is not being reported by the Diocese.  The Diocese is only saying they have received word that three decrees have been upheld (see below). Please note that our assessment has not been taken at this time.  The $211,800 is still held by St. John's.

There have been three parishes who have received word from the Dicastery that their appeals have been denied and the decree from the Bishop stands.  They are all sending follow-up appeals to the Dicastery.  Philip Gray says this is not unexpected and is personally involved with writing the follow-up appeals.  Please remember that when the Dicastery receives an appeal they request the Diocese to send them their comments.  The Dicastery then issues their decision based on this input.  The follow-up appeals are then made to reinforce the case for appeal based on the Dicastery's decision.  This is a long process and must be followed accordingly.

Our appeal to the Dicastery is due for answer at the end of Sept/early Oct.  The Dicastery can request an extension or not respond, at which time we will follow up.  The Bishop's meeting in Rome may impact the response date.  The leader of the Dicastery for the Clergy remains The Most Lazzaro Cardinal You Heung-sik as was the case under Pope Francis, but the rest of the Dicastery under him is entirely new.  We are tracking.

It was reported in my Newsletter on August 13, 2025, that the SOBC organization would like to petition the Vatican for Corrective Action to be taken against the Diocese.  This is still planned but hasn't occurred yet.  The Bishop's meeting in Rome may impact this plan.

There has been no response from the Judge regarding the Civil Suit regarding the Assessment process.  The Judge is not on a timeline per se but has said he will rule as soon as possible.

Our 501(c)3 arrangement with the Cattaraugus Regional Community Foundation is set to be implemented on October 15, 2025.  There will be informational handouts at all Masses prior to this date.  A meeting will also be held with Father Chris to provide him this information.

Families of St. John's religious education-aged children have met with Father Chris regarding the timing of the classes.  The classes are currently set for 9:15am on Sundays at St. Bonaventure beginning September 28th.  This prevents St. John's families who would normally attend 9:30am mass at St. John's from attending this mass.  This is significant in that our mass attendance is a key measurement of the diocese.  The results of the meeting are to be determined, but those who were in the meeting were not expecting a favorable outcome.

Finally, our fiscal year ended on August 31, 2025.  We ended the year with a significant surplus.  This is important for a number of reasons, including that our financial viability was one of the reasons given in our decree for the merger.  Our budget for our new year also shows a surplus.  The other reason provided in the decree was clergy shortage, and the Vatican has already advised that is not a valid reason.

Please continue to pray and support St. John's and the EMCC.

Thanks,

Dan 

dhinz52@gmail.com

716-307-1440

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