Latest news with #ChristtheKingSeminary
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Diocese of Buffalo asks parishes to pay $80M toward $150M settlement
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Diocese of Buffalo announced on Monday its request for parishes to contribute a total of $80 million toward the $150 million it agreed to pay in April to settle over 800 claims of sexual abuse. Monday marked the Diocese's first meeting in a weeks-long process with parish leadership, where each parish will get a 'detailed statement of their expected contribution to the settlement fund,' the Diocese said. Over the past year, the Diocese decided to close and merge churches across Western New York in response to the claims. Around 54 parishes were originally affected by the downsizing announcement and 52 then submitted counterproposals, some of which were accepted. Contributions from parishes range from 10 to 80 percent, which is based on a 'progressive percentage' of each parish's self-reported and unrestricted assets as of August 2024. The Diocese said parishes that are scheduled to be closed or merged will face higher percentages. Parishes that are in the process of appealing closures are still expected to pay 80 percent, but if the appeal is approved, the parish will be refunded the difference of the 80 percent and the rate it would've paid if it didn't face closure. 'As we have maintained throughout this protracted process, the participation of the entire Catholic family is necessary to bring to a close this painful chapter of our Diocese and achieve a level of restitution that is owed to the many who have had to carry the tremendous burden of physical, emotional and spiritual harm of sexual abuse throughout their lives,' said Bishop Michael Fisher. Other contributions are said to be expected from the Diocese, affiliate Catholic organizations, proceeds from real estate sales and coverages by diocesan insurance carriers. A federal judge ruled on Friday that most of the money from the sale of Christ the King Seminary, located in East Aurora, cannot be used toward the $150 million settlement. The proceeds totaled over $4 million. All payments are due to the Diocese by July 15. Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Judge: Most seminary sale money can't be used in settlement
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A federal judge ruled on Friday that a majority of the money from the sale of Christ the King Seminary cannot be used toward the $150 million settlement in the Buffalo Catholic Diocese. Christ the King Seminary, located in East Aurora, sold for more than $4 million in February. According to attorneys representing some of the victims, the ruling stops the diocese from using nearly 65% of that money to settle with sex abuse victims. The diocese said that the settlement — which was agreed upon in April — will be paid using 'available funds' from both the diocese and individual parishes, along with 'contributions from Catholic-affiliated entities.' 'Under New York law, a charitable corporation must honor a donor's direction and intention … in Saint Joseph's Hospital v. Bennett, 281 N.Y. 115 (1939), the New York Court of Appeals confirmed the controlling rule, that religious corporations may not divert donated funds from the stated purpose of a donor,' wrote Chief Bankruptcy Judge Carl L. Bucki for the Western District of New York. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sale of former Christ the King Seminary now complete
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The sale and transfer of the former Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora is now complete, the Diocese of Buffalo said Friday. The 117-acre property was sold to World Mission Society of God for a total of $4.2 million in a public auction last October. The seminary had been closed since 2020 after budget deficits of $500,000 per year. The Knox Road campus was originally listed for $5.3 million. The sprawling campus includes renovated classroom and office space, a 460-seat auditorium, a chapel, a large library, six dorm buildings, a kitchen and dining hall, a recreation building and a full gymnasium. There are also 200 parking spaces on the premises. The building space adds up to a total of 204,000 square feet. The Diocese is selling assets to collect funds to help pay for any settlement of the hundreds of sexual abuse claims filed under the Adult Survivors Act, which gave victims a year to file claims against abusers. In October 2023, the Diocese's 'suggested contribution' to settle the cases was $100 million, plus insurance funds. The Diocese confirmed that the net sale proceeds will go into funding the settlements. World Mission of Society Church of God is a New Jersey-based, nondenominational Christian church that's mission is to 'enlighten humankind about the truth of the New Covenant that leads to salvation,' according to its website. It was established in South Korea, according to its site, and has a presence in 175 countries with 3,000,000 members. Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
