Bishop Fisher: 'I do need to be out there more'

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Bishop Michael Fisher has heard the criticism.

But the Diocese of Buffalo is in bankruptcy and faces payouts of at least $100 million, which was the suggested contribution to almost 900 survivors of sexual abuse by clergy, employees, volunteers, Boy Scout leaders, and others.

Churches are closing or being merged. Catholic schools are running out of money.

Fewer Catholics are turning to priesthood. As a result, there are fewer than 110 priests for the 160 parishes. That has made it more difficult for parishioners to form spiritual bonds with clergy when they don't even know who will give mass any given week.

Younger people are not going to church, and fewer children attend Catholic schools.

And some parishes are seeing fewer Catholics in the pews. As a result, Sunday donations have dropped by 22% over the years.

These challenges are on Fisher's plate.

But now, he's feeling the wrath of some Catholics, who believe Fisher has alienated the flock by focusing too much on finances and bankruptcy, and less on the spiritual health of Catholics in the pews during the worst crisis the Diocese has faced.

These Catholics are also not pleased that the Diocese has spent $15 million in legal fees since 2018 to defend itself in legal matters. 

The critics have formally requested a review of Fisher's tenure by the Vatican and asked for his removal.

"What choice do we have?" Fisher said in a rare television interview with News 4 Investigates. "We had to defend ourself in terms of the Attorney General's suit and now we have the Chapter 11, which I want to get out of, but it's going to take a lot of resources to do that."

Fisher was appointed Bishop on Dec. 1, 2020, by Pope Francis. Fisher said he had never been to Buffalo and was not up to speed on any of the monumental challenges it faces. He only had an "inkling," of what he was about to step into, he said.

In fact, his first day, he was told he would be named a defendant in a lawsuit by the Attorney General.

"And oh, by the way, we have Chapter 11," Fisher said. "When I said yes to the Holy Father as I said, I didn't ask any questions, what was going on here? You're kind of focused on where you're at."

Despite this, Fisher said he would have still taken the job.

The criticism and calls for his removal have led him to reflect more on his time here in Buffalo.

"I'm a priest," he said. "Being with people is what I enjoy, what I love. And do I do it perfectly? No. And I know I need to get better at getting out there. I never feel that I give enough time but I mean, like I said, I'm pretty stretched. I'm only one bishop."

Fisher told News 4 Investigates that he is "open" to a form review of his tenure. He does not have anything to hide, he said.

Fisher said he accepts blame for not communicating more about the Diocese's mission to the masses. And he said he is working through what he described as being a "pretty shy person."

"It's hard for me to do these kind of interviews," Fisher said. "... I just want to speak from my heart, and answer as truthfully as I can. I'm not an extrovert who's out there wanting to be in the spotlight, but I do know that as a shepherd of this community, I do need to be out there more and look for those opportunities that I'm able to share what we're doing when I can."

But the challenges facing the Diocese really concern him. Attracting more younger people to the church is on his mind. However, he said he has a lot of nieces and nephews that show him there is a "spiritual hunger in this generation."

He wants younger generations to see the church as a beacon of hope and safe place for them to build a relationship with the gospel.

"I know that the young people are searching and hungering for that and we need to make sure that they know that this is a place that they can find that," Fisher said. "We have to relate to them. It's about developing healthy relationships and communication with our young people..."

The sacrifices and pain are not over, Fisher said. He doesn't have any playbook to guide him through these new challenges. But the Diocese is developing a long-term plan for a path to renewal, but is still dealing with the short-term plan to get out of this crisis.

"When you're looking at the vitality of a parish, you're looking at the pastoral and the spiritual care which is always preeminent in my mind and in my thoughts," Fisher said.