Interior of St. Joseph Cathedral, Buffalo, New York / Adobe Stock
As the Diocese of Buffalo, New York, continues its reorganization process in the wake of clergy sex abuse settlements and a bankruptcy filing, its latest move includes laying off nearly 20 diocesan employees, effective almost immediately.
According to local outlet WBEN, the diocese’s Catholic Center in downtown Buffalo currently has 75 employees, and about 18 positions are expected to be cut. Diocesan Chief Operating Officer Rick Suchan said that the “very difficult” layoffs help the diocese fulfill its obligations to the abuse survivors, which he called its highest priority at the moment.
WBEN additionally reported that the remaining staff at the Catholic Center will begin a four-day work week in September and going forward will have fewer paid holidays. The diocese has also cut all part-time employees working fewer than 25 hours per week.
Staff at the Catholic Center will move to a new office space, as the diocese has put the current location up for sale. In total, the diocese estimates the reorganization at the Catholic Center will save it more than $1.5 million annually.
Those whose jobs are being cut will be paid through the end of the month, WBEN reported, and their health benefits will continue until the end of September, when they will become eligible for coverage under the Department of Labor’s continuation of coverage program.
According to WBEN, Suchan stated that the diocese “cannot adequately express our gratitude” for the service done by the staff members being laid off.
“We are committed to doing everything possible to ease the departure of those staff members affected by these cost reductions, which in no way reflect their performance or lasting contributions,” he added.
CatholicVote previously reported that the diocese currently faces a $150 million settlement with survivors of clergy sex abuse.
