Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The Buffalo Catholic Diocese is eliminating 21 full time jobs and reducing three to part time jobs, anticipating a financial impact from the coronavirus.
"While we deeply regret the very personal impact that this process of realignment will have on dedicated employees of the Catholic Center, we must assess how best to deploy the resources of the Diocese in ways that reflect responsible stewardship and which offer the greatest benefit for our parishes," said Fr. Peter Karalus, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. "We anticipate that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic will exacerbate the financial challenges that the Diocese is already confronting. This is why we are accelerating our plans to better align the functions of the Catholic Center with the needs of our parishes. The Catholic Center exists to serve our parishes and ensure that they have the resources they need to sustain their outreach and ministries to their parishioners. Where and how we can provide administrative support and advance the work of evangelization carried out at the parish level, must be our priority."
The number of employees impacted totals 24; with 21 position eliminations and 3 positions moving from full-time to part-time employment. All whose positions are being eliminated will be eligible to apply for unemployment compensation immediately (versus the standard 7-day waiting period which has been waived). Moreover, health insurance will be continued until the end of April, after which former employees may apply for COBRA or continue their health insurance by paying premiums directly to the Diocese.
The Diocese says the novel coronavirus pandemic which has required social distancing and the temporary discontinuation of Masses and other liturgical celebrations. The diocese says those plans necessitate reducing the employment workforce of the Diocesan Catholic Center
