A Diocesan Priest...

is called to be a man of deep personal prayer who proclaims the Gospel of Christ and lives the Gospel in his daily life. A diocesan priest centers his life on the love of God and the love of the people God calls him to serve. He lives life simply and celibately and promises obedience to the Church. The minister shares in the power of the Holy Spirit, in the threefold mission of Christ as prophet, priest and servant of the Kingdom of God. As representatives of Christ they celebrate the Sacraments, visit the sick, the shut-ins and the imprisoned, counsel the troubled, console the sorrowing and rejoice with the joyful. They are a special part of every family and they minister to people of every age. They are there to celebrate and sacramentalize the special moments of people’s lives.

The Diocese has a rich history. The first Catholics arrived in Western New York as explorers. As early as 1626, these pioneers gathered for prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist. Today, the Diocese has grown from a handful to over 753,000 Catholics who continue to carry on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Diocese of Buffalo is comprised of the eight counties of Western New York: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming.

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec shepherds the spiritual care of the people of the diocese in 266 parishes, missions, apostolates and agencies. Approximately 459 Diocesan priests, as well as religious men and women, meet the spiritual needs of the people, providing liturgical worship, education, and community life.

A diocesan priest wants to make a world of difference, as Jesus did, by living as fully as he can and sharing the Good News.