March 1, 2007

Former director of Catholic Charities passes away

Msgr. John Conniff led Catholic Charities for 30 years

Msgr. John J. Conniff, longtime director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Buffalo, died late Wednesday (Feb. 28, 2007) following a lengthy illness. He was 82.

“He was a tireless advocate for the poor and underserved in our region,” said Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, bishop of Buffalo. “Msgr. Conniff truly embodied the spirit of Catholic Charities, to help people from all walks of life, regardless of faith, providing essential services that led them to healthier, stronger lives. May God grant him eternal rest.”

Father Joseph J. Sicari, diocesan director of Catholic Charities, said, “Msgr. Conniff was such a visionary leader for Catholic Charities that his contributions have truly shaped the face of our agency today. His passion for reaching out to all in need and for issues of social justice led him to achieve milestones that brought more services to many more people throughout the Diocese of Buffalo by expanding from 21 to 64 locations across the eight counties, extending family therapy to all areas, and establishing a Division of Housing.”

Born in Buffalo on November 25, 1924, Msgr. Conniff was the only child of the late Fred J. and Anita M. (Downing) Conniff. He attended Canisius College and graduated from St. Bonaventure University (B.A.). He also studied at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Social Welfare and the Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia.

He attended Christ the King Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in 1949. Following various assignments in the diocese, he moved to Washington, D.C., in 1959 and eventually became the acting director of the Youth Department of the National Catholic Welfare Conference.

He returned to Buffalo in 1962 and became associate director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Buffalo. He became the fifth director of Catholic Charities in 1965 and in 1970, Msgr. Conniff became the director of the annual Catholic Charities Appeal. During his tenure, Catholic Charities grew from 21 to 64 locations.

“This is a wonderful place for me to be a priest and to do my ministry,” Msgr. Conniff often said. “I want us to be known as the ‘can do’ agency.”

Other highlights of Msgr. Conniff’s career at Catholic Charities included the extension of family therapy to all parts of the organization, implementation of a new social work approach to parish outreach in Western New York and the establishment of a division of housing with a focus on justice issues.

Msgr. Conniff received numerous honors and awards. In 1961, Pope Paul VI named him Very Reverend Monsignor. The Holy Father named him a Prelate of Honor in 1969 and in 1991, Pope John Paul II named him Prothonotary Apostolic.

The National Conference of Christians and Jews gave him the Brotherhood Award, he received honorary doctorates of Humane Letters from Canisius College, D’Youville College and Niagara University, and the University at Buffalo School of Social Work gave him its 50th anniversary Human Services Award.

He retired in 1995 and served as the bishop’s liaison to retired clergy, and continued his involvement with Catholic Charities.

A wake will be held on Saturday, March 3, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and on Sunday, March 4, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Amigone Funeral Home, 1132 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo. Msgr. Conniff will lie-in-state on Monday, March 5, from 8:30–10 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. celebrated by Bishop Kmiec at St. Michael Church, 651 Washington Street, Buffalo.

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