Rev. Bryan Zielenieski answers parishioner concerns during diocese restructuring

BUFFALO, N.Y (WIVB) — It has been a challenging week for the local Catholic community. Recently, the Diocese of Buffalo has recommended the merger or closure of numerous churches within the coming months. Currently, 25 churches in both the northern towns and downtown Buffalo face potential closure.

Conversations with several parishioners have revealed their understandable concerns about the future steps.

Parishioners have voiced concerns over the potential loss of specialty Masses, such as those conducted in Latin or Vietnamese.

The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is suggested for closure; according to the Vicar for Renewal, Father Brian Zielenieski, it predominantly serves a Vietnamese immigrant community.

St. Anthony's, renowned for its Latin Mass, may be at risk, threatening the continuation of the only weekly Latin Mass.

"We want to make sure that there's a continuation of the Vietnamese mass of the traditional Latin mass. We'll still have a home. We want to make sure there's still the mass and polish and all the different ethnicities are accounted for and being ministered to effectively. So that was considered in these recommendations," said Father Zielenieski.

Another recommended merger involves St. Mark in North Buffalo. The parish is closing, but the school will remain open.

"That is a huge parish school. This provides an opportunity for the school now to utilize that church building however they see fit to help continue to expand the mission of the school. So, it's a strategic move to help us strengthen Catholic education," continued Zielenieski.

Parishioner Meghann Roehl, who has three children attending St. Mark School, states that the diocese points to an aging population—60% over 60 years old—as a reason for the recent changes. She believes this trend will only worsen if churches tied to younger congregations are closed.

"Maintaining the connection between the church and the school itself has to be a priority. If you want to reach that next generation going forward and you want this Catholic faith, faith to survive. That's one of the key issues in my mind," said Roehl.

The Diocese points to dwindling contributions as another factor for these recommendations. A parishioner from St. Mark shared with News 4 the total weekly offerings from the previous month.

"When you look at the actual raw data, St Mark's is up in all of the categories which would send a message to anyone that we are reaching the next generation through this church," Roehl added.

Including monthly online donations, St. Mark reported twelve thousand dollars more than the church with the next highest total.

"We looked at rolling average data, so it gives us a better understanding of trends from week to week it might look at certain times that St Mark's is doing great. But when you look at the whole projected picture, it's not as good as what everybody thinks it is," rebutted

"We looked at rolling average data, so it gives us a better understanding of trends from week to week it might look at certain times that St Mark's is doing great. But when you look at the whole projected picture, it's not as good as what everybody thinks it is," rebutted Zielenieski.

Father Zielenieski has confirmed that the upcoming restructuring meeting will concentrate on the Niagara Orleans Vicariate. It is scheduled to occur at the Immaculate Conception Church in Ransomville on Monday.