BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – Michael Fisher was formally installed Friday as the 15th Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo.
Fisher comes to Western New York after two years serving in Washington. He has spent nearly 30 years in ministry.
Among the significant names in attendance was Cardinal Timothy Dolan as well as former Bishop Richard Malone, who retired following waves of calls for his resignation.
Instead of addressing the optics of the event, Fisher instead focused on what the purpose was for Friday's installation Mass.
"We were here to celebrate the life of this Diocese and the love that the Eucharist represents," he said.
While speaking with reporters, he reiterated his leadership goals of collaborating, communicating, and consulting, without offering specifics as on how he will address major challenges facing the Diocese of Buffalo, including bankruptcy and its ongoing handling of the clergy sex abuse scandal.
"I need to meet with my staff," he said. "I haven't even been to the Catholic Center yet. I need to meet with them and see who's doing what and who's involved in the various offices. Hopefully, at that point, I can reach out. I want to listen. I want to get out to parishes. I want to get out to schools. Hopefully I can do that in the coming weeks."
Ahead of the formal installation, advocates for the victims of clergy sex abuse stood outside of St. Joseph Cathedral with little optimism that their concerns of transparency will be addressed by the new bishop.
"I'll lend my voice to anybody I can so they can find the truth about their history," James Faluszczak, an outspoken survivor of clergy abuse and victim advocate, said. "Do I believe that's going to come from the Diocese?...Bishops cannot police themselves...I don't believe that a single bishop can be expected to be forthright and truthful in the least bit."
