13th Bishop of Buffalo

Bishop Edward Urban Kmiec was installed as the 13th bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo on October 28, 2004 at St. Joseph Cathedral. He provides spiritual leadership to Catholics in eight county diocese, ministering to 690,000 people. Bishop Kmiec is guiding the diocese through a major spiritual revitalization and parish restructuring process called the Journey in Faith and Grace.

The Diocese of Buffalo is as vast as it is diverse. There are close to 200 parishes, more than 50 Catholic elementary schools, 15 Catholic high schools and seven Catholic colleges and universities. The diocese is also home to a major seminary, Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora and five Catholic Hospitals.

One of the significant ministries of the diocese is Catholic Charities which meets the needs of almost 160,000 Western New Yorkers each year. Catholic Charities of Buffalo helps people of all ages, races, faiths and walks of life everyday. Professional staff members are available to listen, and begin to assess needs in a responsive and compassionate manner. Catholic Charities strives to empower individuals, families, children and couples to live healthy and meaningful lives.

The Catholic Health brings together the strengths and talents of more than 8,200 full and part-time associates and 1,200 physicians under one health care ministry that stretches across all areas of Western New York . One of the fundamental reasons for the creation of the Catholic Health System and its member organizations was to ensure that the health care needs of the community are met in keeping with the mission, vision, and values of our religious sponsors. Ongoing efforts provide the community with easy access to a wide range of high quality health care services is enhanced by our deep reverence for life.

Through its parishes, Catholic schools, Catholic Charities, Catholic Health and countless other ministries, he Diocese of Buffalo lives out Bishop Kmiec's motto of "Charity and Service" each and every day