BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo has announced layoffs and other cost-cutting moves as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring process.
The diocese said there will be a 22 percent reduction in personnel of the Catholic Center, which currently numbers 75. A spokesperson for the diocese confirmed that 18 employees are losing their jobs. A source also told me that the entire communication department has been eliminated, and none of the employees saw this coming.
According to the diocese, those impacted will be paid through August 31, 2025, and will receive health benefits through September 30, 2025. After that, they will be eligible for COBRA for health coverage.
I received a copy of a letter sent to employees from Bishop Michael Fisher explaining the difficult financial situation forcing the diocese to "restructure departments" and cut staff.
The diocese declined an interview to discuss the layoffs and cost-cutting moves.
Back in June, I met with Chief Operating Officer Richard Suchan, and he talked about how the staff was already cut by 40 percent after they announced their bankruptcy a few years ago.
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"The remaining employees have definitely had expanded responsibilities to make up the difference associated with those staffing cuts," Suchan said in June. " They've assumed additional work in many, and I would say myself included, work 65 hours a week."
When I spoke to Suchan, I asked if he would take a pay cut, and he said he had already taken one.
The diocese said those who are not impacted by the layoffs will transition to a four-day work week beginning September 1, 2025, and the number of paid holidays will be reduced. Part-time employees working under 25 hours per week will no longer receive paid holidays.
Catholic Center personnel will be relocated from 795 Main Street, which is for sale, to office space at 801 Main Street during the coming months.
The diocese says annual cost savings are estimated to be over $1.5 million.
WATCH: Catholic Diocese of Buffalo announces layoffs and cost-cutting moves as part of bankruptcy process
The diocese declared bankruptcy in 2020 as it faced nearly 900 sex abuse lawsuits. With attendance declining and lawsuits looming, the diocese later announced it was selling, merging or closing several of its properties. In September 2024, the diocese announced that 118 worship sites would remain open following a merger/closure review as part of the "Road to Renewal."
In April, the diocese announced it reached a $150 million settlement with more than 800 survivors of sexual abuse. The settlement involves parishes and schools connected to decades of abuse by clergy, lay employees, religious and volunteers within the eight counties of Western New York.
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The settlement will be paid through unrestricted funds of the diocese and individual parishes, as well as contributions from members of Catholic affiliates. In June, the 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 as part of the Road to Renewal program.
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“Echoing what Bishop Fisher has asserted consistently, we have no higher priority than to fulfill our obligations to the Creditors Committee, aimed at supporting the healing of victim-survivors of sexual abuse. The very difficult actions we have announced today at the Catholic Center mirror the sacrifices we have required of all parishes of the Diocese. We cannot adequately express our gratitude to the members of the Catholic Center staff who have worked tirelessly to deal with the difficult challenges of recent years, while continuing to support the ministries vital to serving so many needs across Western New York. We are committed to doing everything possible to ease the departure of those staff members affected by these cost reductions, which in no way reflect their performance or lasting contributions.”
