Group of Buffalo Catholics ask Pope Francis to remove Bishop Michael Fisher

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A group of the Buffalo faithful says Bishop Michael Fisher is failing his flock and they’re calling on the pope to have him removed.

In a letter penned to Pope Francis, they claim since Fisher’s appointment, adverse, long-term and irreparable harm has come to the local Catholic community.

The letter is filled with various articles, stories and comments by Catholics, all of whom voiced their disapproval and documentation of harm done by Bishop Fisher to the Catholic community.

The letter serving as a request for a formal inquiry by the Vatican into his actions and decisions since his appointment.

“Bishop Fisher chooses to think he’s running a business like this is an NGO or Apple. It’s not. It’s the Church of Jesus Christ. So run it like that,” said parishioner and active missionary Michael Taheri, who signed the letter.

The letter to Pope Francis comes on the heels of three local churches and the Diocese main street headquarters either closing or being up for sale.

The Diocese says those decisions were made because of financial hardships.

Currently the Diocese is in the midst of settling almost 900 childhood sexual abuse cases spanning decades.

Buffalo Diocese’s $100M offer to settle hundreds of abuse cases draws criticism

“$15 million that have been spent on the clergy abuse and frankly, no case has been settled. When you’ve spent those types of dollars. I think the question to Bishop Fisher is, have you been a good steward of the resources that the parishioners have given you to steward? I don’t think so,” Taheri added.

Taheri said Catholics around the area feel that Bishop Fisher is only focused on financial leadership, not missions, programs, or spiritual guidance.

Taheri says that has led to a steady decline of parishioners since Fisher became the Diocese shepherd.

“Out of the 150 or so parishes, 112 do not have one person in RCIA that’s going to be a Catholic confirmed on Easter. So, you must look at Bishop Fisher, he’s not doing anything spiritually to develop or help evangelize,” continued Taheri.

Buffalo Diocese: ‘We can say we’re sorry, but we need to ante up’

In response to the letter, the diocese is highlighting steps Bishop Fisher has taken during his tenure to lead the church.

That includes sponsoring an interfaith service for the May 14 shooting victims, officiating at mass at nearly all of the diocese’s 160 parishes since 2021, and fostering the road to renewal project focusing on retreats and evangelization.

statement_Vatican_final2Download

The diocese also emphasizes the smaller number of masses during the week, due to only 106 active priests in the area. Taheri says that’s another issue the Pope can fix.

“Take this summary and use it as a roadmap to move further and further into what can we do with Bishop Fisher? Is there a path to success in Buffalo? We don’t see it, but we are open to it; and if not, we’ve got to get in a bishop who is merciful and can bring some closure. So this 600,000 Catholics can get back to ministry and get back to worship and move forward,” Taheri said.

Latest Local News

West Seneca students walk out of school to protest teacher layoffs

BMHA says demolition of Perry Projects to begin Wednesday

Genesee County man accused of making bomb threat against Buffalo General Hospital

Did you know the electric chair was invented in Buffalo?

‘It was disheartening’: Bishop Michael Fisher responds to call for his ousting

Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.