Pope Francis Appoints New Bishop to Buffalo Diocese

Buffalo has been without a permanent bishop in the diocese since the controversial departure of Bishop Malone about a year ago.  Today the diocese has been appointed a new bishop.

It's hard to believe that it's already been a year since Bishop Richard Malone resigned his position after allegations that he mishandled multiple sex abuse cases in the Buffalo Diocese.  After he left, Bishop Edward Scharfenberger from Albany stepped in to assume some of his duties.  Scharfenberger was never meant to be a permanent solution.  He was simply standing in until a permanent solution was found.

Today they've announced that that solution has been selected.  Pope Francis is appointing Michael William Fisher as the 15th Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo.

According to WIVB, when describing Fisher, Bishop Scharfenberger says that the Buffalo Diocese is in good hands.

“In Bishop Michael Fisher, they have been given a priest, pastor and bishop whose passion to serve, to listen, to heal and comfort have distinguished his 30-year ministry. It has been among my life’s great joys to get to know and assist this faith-filled community, to accompany them in their initial steps on the path toward renewal and redefine the enormous potential of the Church to accomplish so much good across this region.”  - Bishop Edward Scharfenberger

Fisher is originally from Baltimore and has been in the ministry for 30 years now.  He is 62 years old and has already served as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington and a chaplain to Pope John Paul II.

His installation will take place on January 15 in the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Buffalo.