Buffalo Group Petitions Pope to Investigate Diocese's Handling of Abuse Cases

Save Our Buffalo Churches challenges Bishop Fisher's leadership and calls for Vatican intervention.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A group called Save Our Buffalo Churches has announced plans to petition the Pope to investigate the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo and Bishop Michael Fisher's handling of clergy sexual abuse cases and crisis settlements. The group alleges mismanagement and misrepresentation of information to the Vatican, and says Bishop Fisher's ministry has become "increasingly ineffective and harmful." The Buffalo Diocese has rejected the group's assertions, stating that Bishop Fisher has worked to address the abuse crisis and has complied with the Vatican in addressing parish mergers and closures.

Why it matters

The petition highlights ongoing tensions within the Buffalo Catholic community over the diocese's response to the clergy sexual abuse scandal. It raises questions about Bishop Fisher's leadership and the diocese's transparency in its dealings with the Vatican, which could have significant implications for the diocese's future and its relationship with local parishioners.

The details

The group 'Save Our Buffalo Churches' is sending a petition to the Pope requesting an investigation into Bishop Michael Fisher and his executive team's management of sexual abuse cases and crisis settlements within the Buffalo Catholic Diocese. The group alleges mismanagement and misrepresentation of information to the Vatican's Dicastery for the Clergy. In response, the Buffalo Diocese has rejected the group's assertions, stating that Bishop Fisher has worked to address the abuse crisis and has complied with the Vatican on parish mergers and closures.

  • The final round of impact statements in the bankruptcy case against the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo concluded on Thursday.
  • The group 'Save Our Buffalo Churches' announced their plans to petition the Pope on Thursday.

The players

Save Our Buffalo Churches

A group petitioning the Pope to investigate the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo's handling of clergy sexual abuse cases and crisis settlements.

Bishop Michael Fisher

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo since January 2021, who the group alleges has mismanaged the abuse crisis and misrepresented information to the Vatican.

Catholic Diocese of Buffalo

The diocese that has faced ongoing scrutiny and bankruptcy proceedings related to the clergy sexual abuse scandal, and has rejected the group's allegations against Bishop Fisher.

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What they’re saying

“Save Our Buffalo Churches (SOBC) has made the decision to pursue a Papal petition requesting the Holy See to investigate Bishop Fisher and his executive team. The result of this type of audit can include corrective action up to and including program changes to removal from their positions. Bishop Fisher's ministry has become increasingly ineffective and harmful. He has lost his good reputation among Catholics, and his actions have harmed the reputation of the Catholic Church to both Catholics and non-Catholics. This situation has reached the point of necessity for intervention by the Holy See.”

— Save Our Buffalo Churches, Group (Save Our Buffalo Churches)

“While the Diocese respects the right of various individuals and groups to appeal to the Holy See on matters involving the merging and closure of parishes as part of the 'Road to Renewal,' — an initiative aimed at bringing together resources and merging unsustainable parishes with stronger, more viable parishes—the Diocese categorically rejects any assertion of 'mismanagement' or 'misrepresentation' in efforts to settle its bankruptcy status with the Creditors Committee or with any information provided to the Dicastery for the Clergy.”

— Catholic Diocese of Buffalo (Catholic Diocese of Buffalo)

What’s next

The Pope will receive the petition from Save Our Buffalo Churches and decide whether to investigate the allegations against Bishop Fisher and the Buffalo Diocese's handling of the abuse crisis and bankruptcy proceedings.

The takeaway

The petition highlights the ongoing tensions within the Buffalo Catholic community over the diocese's response to the clergy sexual abuse scandal, raising questions about Bishop Fisher's leadership and the diocese's transparency with the Vatican that could have significant implications for its future.