Lockport Union-Sun & Journal — Bishop Richard J. Malone, the newly appointed bishop of the Buffalo diocese, is looking forward to taking over in his new post in August. And there are many in the area looking forward to that, too.
Malone’s appointment was a good choice, said Rev. James Waite, pastor at St. John the Baptist on Chestnut Street.
“I’m impressed with him,” Waite said. “He’s a skilled evangelist and teacher. He’s also a kind and caring person.”
Waite watched the announcement online. He said Malone’s background in education and his work with the Boston and Portland dioceses will be an advantage.
“He’ll be good for the schools,” Waite said. “He’s moving from a small diocese to Buffalo, but has dealt with some of the same challenges. He’s from Boston which is larger.”
Father Dan Fawls of Holy Trinity Parish in Medina said that while the change in diocese leadership won’t necessarily cause greater change at his parish, he expects that Bishop Malone will make his mark through his guidance and as the spiritual leader of the local church.
“We’ve been through transitions before, like when Bishop Kmiec came,” Fawls said. “Each new bishop brings their own personality and way of doing things.”
Malone spent Monday and Tuesday in Buffalo, getting to know the area and some of the people, the diocese said. He returns to Maine today and will be officially installed as the Buffalo bishop on Aug. 10.
“I’m looking forward to meeting him, a number of priests I talked to are looking forward to it too,” Waite said.
Reporter Jim Krencik contributed to this story.
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