By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Pope John Paul has appointed a member of Buffalo's clergy to serve as the next Bishop of Ogdensburg. The Buffalo Catholic Diocese announced Tuesday that Msrg. Robert Cunningham, currently serving as the diocesan administrator, has been given a new assignment.
As Buffalo awaits a new bishop to be named, the Pope assigned Msgr. Cunningham to lead the diocese of Ogdensburg, NY. He been serving as diocesan administrator since Bishop Henry Mansell left for Hartford to become Archbishop last December.
Diocesan Communications Director Kevin Keenan says the announcement came a surprise. But Keenan says this is not an indication that a new bishop for Buffalo is close to being named.
"I don't think we can read into this, that we are close to getting a bishop here in Buffalo," Keenan said. "The diocese of Ogdensburg has been without a bishop since last August. Buffalo has only been without a Bishop since December. So you can't read into anything. The church will move in its own fashion and we really have no indication on when the next bishop of Buffalo will be named."
Keenan says Msgr. Cunningham will continue in his local role until he is installed as Bishop of Ogdensburg. Once that occurs, another local administrator will be elected to serve until the 13th Buffalo bishop is installed.
Cunningham was among the possible candidates for Buffalo.