The Pauline Fathers who currently own and manage Corpus Christi Church are set to take over administration of Saint Stanislaus Church just a few blocks away in East Buffalo’s Historic Polonia.
The Diocese of Buffalo has announced that the Pauline Fathers (the Order of St. Paul the Hermit) will take over the leadership of St. Stanislaus Parish, 123 Townsend St., Buffalo, effective April 12, Divine Mercy Sunday.
In a statement from the Diocese released on Palm Sunday, Bishop Richard Malone stated: “The Pauline Fathers expressed an interest in expanding their ministry in the diocese. After lengthy conversations and prayer, we arrived at the consensus that this was a natural fit. The order has a keen understanding of and respect for the longstanding Polish heritage and traditions of St. Stanislaus. I am confident they will work tirelessly to meet the ministerial needs of the parish and the community.”
St. Stanislaus pastor Father Thaddeus Bocianowski has been named temporary administrator of St. Padre Pio Parish in Oakfield, effective April. 12.
The Pauline Fathers took pastoral responsibility for Corpus Christi Parish in Buffalo in 2004. The monastic community established by the order will continue to reside at that parish, which is located at Clark and Kent streets. Father Mariusz Dymek, OSPPE, current pastor of Corpus Christi, will become pastor of St. Stanislaus. Father Michael Czyzewski, OSPPE, will become administrator of Corpus Christi.
The Order of St. Paul the Hermit was founded in Hungary during the 13th century. The monastic order spread throughout Hungary, Poland, Croatia, Austria and Bavaria, and sent its first priests to the United States in the 1950s.
While Corpus Christi is a Pauline parish, St. Stanislaus will continue as an independent parish of the Diocese of Buffalo.
This is very concerning as St. Stanislaus is a Diocesan parish. Why the Bishop would choose to place the Mother Church in the hands of a non-Diocesan order is highly alarming. There are many questions and concerns that the Bishop needs to address with the Polish community. There is a meeting of concerned individuals taking place on Monday, March 30, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at Polish Villa 2 on Harlem Road in Cheektowaga NY.
I wish people would support Stanislaus more. I was at a recent mass so people.