WEST SENECA, NY (WKBW) — Tuesday was the deadline for Western New York parishes to begin to contribute toward the Diocese of Buffalo's $150 million settlement with more than 800 survivors of sexual abuse.
In June, the parishes across 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.
| Parish Level Unrestricted Cash & Investment Assets | Percent Applied for Contribution |
| Less than $250,000 | 10% |
| Less than $500,000 | 25% |
| Less than $750,000 | 45% |
| Less than $1,000,000 | 55% |
| More than $1,000,000 | 65% |
| More than $3,000,000 | 75% |
| Merging/Closing Parishes | 80% |
Parishioners have been outspoken about parishes having to contribute toward the settlement.
“It's basically a war on parishes,” Craig Speers, a parishioner at St. Michael’s Church, told 7 News in June.
WATCH: Parish reaction to Diocese of Buffalo's plan to help pay off settlement
Also in June, diocese leaders spoke out about why parishes are being asked to contribute to the settlement.
WATCH: 'None of this was pulled out of the sky': Diocese of Buffalo responds to criticism over settlement
Having reached the deadline for payments, I went and spoke with parishioners to get their reaction.
"No one’s happy about it, but we do the best we can,” said Mary Ann Karalus, a parishioner at Queen of Heaven Church in West Seneca.
Queen of Heaven must provide $3.5 million toward the settlement payment.
I spoke with Karalus as she headed into late morning Mass at her parish, where she has been attending for 43 years. When I asked her about the contribution the church must make toward the settlement, she said, “ouch."
WATCH: 'No one’s happy about it': Parishioners reflect as settlement payments begin in Diocese of Buffalo
But Karalus told me her church leaders are making the hefty payment.
When I met with diocese leaders in June, I asked what would happen if the parishes didn't pay.
“If they don't pay, we need to have some serious conversations, and we are having very serious conversations,” said Richard Suchan, the diocese's chief operating officer.
“Would it lead to shuttering them as a parish or a worship site?” I asked.
“No,” responded Suchan.
Five area parishes are suing the diocese to stay open and block the payments. They won't be paying for now as they await another court hearing next month after appearing for their lawsuit last Friday. Attorneys for those parishes are slated to return to court on August 6.
Late Tuesday afternoon, the diocese issued the following statement on the settlement contributions:
“We are extremely grateful for the level of cooperation and support among the parishes of the Diocese of Buffalo as we work toward fulfilling the terms of our agreement with the creditors' committee. Parish leaders have a clear understanding of our collective responsibility that we can only conclude this long and arduous journey, and begin a new, more hopeful one, if we do so together as a committed family of faith. the shared concern for those harmed by past crimes of sexual abuse and their healing continues to guide our efforts and remains our highest
priority.
We are fully confident that we will be able to meet our obligations to the creditors' committee as agreed to in principle, allowing the diocese to soon emerge from Chapter 11 reorganization in a way that allows us to define a new era of Catholic faith and impact across Western New York. We will continue to communicate our progress and as developments warrant.”
Meanwhile, it remains a tough time to be a Catholic, but Karalus told me she refuses to let it rock her faith.
“I just wish God blesses everyone involved and we come to a happy conclusion,” Karalus commented.
According to 7 News sources, other parishes, like Immaculate Conception in East Aurora, top the list – hit with a $5,325,000 settlement payment, St. Timothy’s, in the Town of Tonawanda, more than $5 million, St. Louis in downtown Buffalo, $3.2 million, and St. Benedict’s in Eggertsville, $1.9 million.
