It is a difficult time for the Catholic Church in the wake of the priest sexual abuse scandal. But a church in Amherst is holding a special service this Friday to pray for abuse victims, as well as priests and the faithful. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley spoke with the pastor of St. Leo the Great Church on Sweet Home Road about dealing with the devastating scandal.
“This is a major, major crisis in the Church,” remarked Msgr. Robert Zapfel, pastor of St. Leo Parish.
Msgr. Zapfel spoke candidly with each questioned asked about the church controversy.
In the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, 42-priests have been credibly accused, but it's suspected there are dozens more. Four more priests were placed on leave in June.
“Certainly this moving a priest around and who they knew were just bad actors, and weren’t prepared for ministry in a way that builds up, rather they tore down,” said Zapfel.
In Pennsylvania a grand jury report found 300-priests had abused more than 1,000 children. Four more priests were placed on leave in June. Msgn. Zapfel said transferring priests who were known by leaders to be dangerous and predatory has hurt and ruined lives. He said the Catholic Church will never be the same.
“Should Bishop Malone resign?” Buckley asked.
“I think there are two questions to ask here; does the bishop need to resign based on his own actions. I honestly think he is doing the best he can. I think that more needs to be seen with regards to how he has acted, but everything that I can understand that the Bishop has presented his case, but I think that the Bishop has done the best he can. The second part of the question is - does the bishop have the confidence of the people and of the priests to lead us forward? And that I don’t know,” replied Msgr. Zapfel.
Msgr. Zapfel said for priests and laity, the last few weeks have made them feel as they are not standing on “solid ground.”
“Are you angry at the Bishop and overall with church leadership and how this has been handled?” Buckley questioned.
“Am I angry? Probably not, as just disappointed. I’m angry that the situation just seems to have gotten out of hand in so many ways,” replied Zapfel.
