BUFFALO (WBEN) - On Wednesday, we learned of two major stories within the Buffalo Diocese.
On Thursday morning, prominent victims advocate Robert Hoatson, who started the non profit program known as Road to Recovery, stood outside the Buffalo Diocese to hold yet another press conference.
"Bishop Richard Malone may never ever return to Buffalo, New York, except to move his belongings," said Hoaton.
For the better part of 20 months, Hoatson has made a habit of holding press conferences directly across from the diocese to call for Malone's resignation. Although there's been no official word yet on a resignation, Hoatson says the rumor has provided Western New York with what it needs most - hope.
"There is a rumor that Bishop Malone has submitted his letter of resignation to Pope Francis - whether that's true or not, we don't know," he said. "But, it is a hopeful sign that if there is a rumor about a letter of resignation, the people of Buffalo, especially the survivors or sexual abuse, should be rejoicing today and hoping and praying that what we're hearing out of Rome is true."
He added that it's no surprise the church has been able to protect itself from abuse allegations for so long, but he noted that time appears to be over.
"When is the Catholic Church going to admit that the reason why we have not been able to get our arms around the clergy sexual abuse crisis is because the hierarchy has been involved in the same behavior," he said. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the next layer of outing of exposition that we're going to see in our church, and that's the hierarchy. We're finally getting to the heart of the matter."