Diocese of Buffalo Announces New Merger Recommendations

RANSOMVILLE, NY — Adding to the growing list of mergers, the Diocese of Buffalo is recommending 7 parishes in the Vicariate of Niagara-Orléans to merge or close.

The diocese made this announcement during a meeting of the Vicariate of Niagara-Orléans at Immaculate Conception in Ransomville.

The new recommendations come as the diocese works to reduce the number of parishes by 34%.

Only clergy and parish administrators were allowed to attend Monday evening’s meeting. Administrators will not report the recommendations to their respective parishes and will accept the proposal or make a counter-offer before July 15.

“Nothing is set in stone until September 1,” said Father Bryan Zielenieski, vicar for renewal and development for the Diocese of Buffalo.

Several parishioners attempted to attend the closed-door meeting between the diocese and parish administrators.

“I just think it should be open to everyone,” Albert Hornung said. “To protect us from that in a way and say, ‘Oh, that’s just for the administrators,’ I don’t think that’s fair.”

The Diocese of Buffalo has three additional recommendation meetings scheduled this week: Southern Tier West on Tuesday, Genesee/Wyoming on Wednesday and Southern Erie on Thursday.

It was recommended to merge or close the following parishes in the Vicariate of Niagara-Orléans:

St. John the Baptist, Lockport

All Saints, Lockport – merge with St. John – close St. Joseph campus

Immaculée Conception, Ransomville – moving into family #34

St. Patrick, Barker – move into family #10

St. Stephen, Middleport – merge with Holy Trinity, Medina

St. Mark, Kendall – merge with St. Mary’s, Holley

St. Raphael, Niagara Falls – merge with St. Peter, Lewiston

Accept the Immaculate Conception, Ransomville, into the family #34

Divine Mercy, Niagara Falls – merge with Sainte-Marie de la Cataracte

St. John de LaSalle, Niagara Falls – merge with St. Vincent de Paul

Holy Family of Jesus Mary and Joseph, Niagara Falls – Closure of the Notre-Dame du Mont-Carmel site