BUFFALO (WBEN) - Movement to Restore Trust member John Hurley organized a meeting with Archbishop Christophe Pierre at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C., on January 31 to discuss the eventual appointment of another bishop.
On Tuesday morning, Hurley joined WBEN to talk about the hour-long meeting, which he says went very well.
"I told him that, in considering the appointment of the next bishop, he needed to think about someone who could run that case very, very tightly and get us to a resolution as soon as possible," said Hurley.
Obviously, the major challenge for any leadership in the Buffalo Diocese will be its inevitable bankruptcy filing due to the sex abuse scandal. Hurley met with Pierre just one day after the diocese announced a $5 million operating loss for last year.
For now, Albany Bishop Ed Scharfenberger continues to serve as apostolic administrator. Some have suggested that Scharfenberger simply be appointed to serve as the next bishop of Buffalo, but Hurley says that wouldn't really solve a problem, as it would create a hole for Albany to fill. There has also been speculation of a new appointment near Easter, and Hurley was asked if that's still a possibility.
"It's possible, but just the body language from the Nuncio suggested to me that it's proving to be a bit more of a difficult task than we'd like to think," he said.
Aside from the apparent need for an administrator with a keen understanding of finance and the bankruptcy process, the two also discussed some of the more intangible qualities needed for the next bishop. At an early-December symposium, the MRT established seven characteristics they believed to be necessary in future leadership: transparent, honest, humble, holy, collaborative, servant leader, and willing to make tough decisions - to which the Nuncio agreed.
"He asked me at the end of our meeting to tell the people of the City of Buffalo, the Diocese of Buffalo, that he understands our concerns and they're working very hard to try to identify a great new leader for the diocese."