Desired qualities of next Bishop detailed in report

Bishop Edward Scharfenberger and John Hurley
Photo credit Bishop Edward Scharfenberger and John Hurley/WBEN Photo

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Following the resignation of Bishop Richard Malone and the naming of Bishop Edward Scherfenberger as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Buffalo,  The Movement to Restore Trust has developed an initial list of desired qualities the laity, clergy and religious of the Diocese would like to see in the next bishop of Buffalo.

120 attendees at the recent “Path Forward” symposium held Dec. 7 at Canisius College voted online and via text message in response to questions asking them to list their own desired qualities, resulting in more than 1,000 individual votes submitted.

The Top 7 qualities identified include:

1.    Transparent

2.    Honest

3.    Humble

4.    Holy

5.    Collaborative

6.    Servant Leader

7.    Willing to make tough choices

“This input was invaluable,” said Movement to Resotre Trust organizingcommittee member John Hurley.  “From the start, we have been focused on increasing the voice of the laity in Church matters.  It is clear the laity is now fully engaged in the appointment of our next bishop.”

The list will be forwarded to Archbishop Christophe Pierre, papal nuncio to the United States - Pope Francis’ representative to the U.S. - as part of its ongoing communication with the nuncio.

“We continue to approach our work with a sense of hope and we look forward to developing a positive working relationship with Bishop Edward Scharfenberger,” Hurley said.  “We are already off to a good start.”