Buffalo, NY - The Movement to Restore Trust, the formal name of the initiative founded by nine Catholic lay people in the Diocese of Buffalo, today announced details for a Nov. 28 symposium at Canisius University and a follow-up workshop at the college on Saturday, Dec. 8.
The symposium, entitled Restoring Trust: A Path Forward for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, will feature the following panelists in a discussion to be moderated by Canisius University President John J. Hurley:
- Kerry Robinson, the founding executive director and global ambassador of the Leadership Roundtable, an organization that promotes best practices and accountability regarding management issues in the U.S. Catholic Church.
- Rev. Matt Malone, SJ, a Jesuit and the editor in chief of America magazine, the Jesuit review of faith and culture.
- Rev. Robert Zilliox, the pastor of St. Mary’s of Swormsville parish in East Amherst, a canon lawyer and former canonical adviser to Buffalo Bishop Richard Malone. Fr. Zilliox is a sex abuse survivor who was featured on the 60 Minutes report on the Buffalo Diocese in October 2018.
The symposium, scheduled for 7 p.m. in the college’s Montante Cultural Center, is described as a respectful dialogue on what has been done and must now be done to protect the vulnerable, hold leaders accountable, and begin to reform, renew, and heal the Church in Buffalo. It will feature a moderated discussion among the four panelists with opportunity for questions from the audience. The symposium is sponsored by The Movement to Restore Trust, which is not sponsored by or affiliated with the Diocese of Buffalo. The event is open to the public but seating is limited. The doors will open at 6 p.m. Overflow seating with a live stream of the symposium will also be available in the college’s Winter Student Center on Hughes Avenue for those who want to participate in the question and answer session. The event will also be live streamed through the college’s website.
Please click here to submit questions for the symposium panelists.
“This is an exceptional group of panelists who have much to offer on the sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church and the role laity can play in bringing about justice for sex abuse survivors and healing for a Church scarred by scandal,” said Hurley. “Our panelists bring both a national and local perspective to the issues. We look forward to having Canisius serve as a gathering place for Catholics in the diocese – both lay and ordained – as we seek to listen, learn and discern next steps in our path forward.”
The Movement to Restore Trust also announced a follow-up workshop at Canisius to be held Saturday, Dec. 8 at 9 a.m. – noon in Science Hall. Attendees will be asked to participate in opening sessions involving specific concerns arising out of the sex abuse scandal and to form work groups to develop concrete proposals for reform.
“We felt that it was imperative to have some immediate follow-up from the Nov. 28 symposium so that Catholics are assured that this is an initiative committed to action and real reform,” said Hurley.
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