As the Buffalo Catholic diocese continues to address the clergy sex abuse crisis, parishioners are now able to weigh in.

Leaders with the Movement to Restore Trust, Diocese of Buffalo and Bishop Richard Malone led their first listening session on Saturday at St. Gregory the Great in Williamsville. 

"I think the questions and the dialog from people was very well thought-out," said Paul Bauer, Movement to Restore Trust member.

Much of the discussion centered around the clergy sexual abuse crisis and a call to action for the diocese to be more open and honest.

"Transparency and accountability is really important," Bauer added. "People understand that hope is still there and the Church when the day is done will come out stronger."

The event was closed to the media.

"There's a real desire for co-responsibility in the Church, that people really be engaged, that people be allowed access, that people have all of their questions answered, and that there be no hint even of cover up," Dennis Mahaney, Diocese of Buffalo Department for Evangelization and Parish Life Director said.

The event was closed to the media. However, parishioners say nearly 200 people attended the two hour session, where leaders reviewed the history of the abuse crisis and what's being done now to address it. 

"Everything that needed to be said was said. Thank God that we have a Church that Jesus Christ founded, and that we love and that we are going to continue to be faithful," said Nancy Allaire-Donohue of Buffalo. 

Something whistle blower and former Malone assistant Siobhan O'Connor agrees with. 

"If we ourselves are divided, we'll be less effective," O'Connor said. "There were those who were calling for the Bishop's resignation. There were those who were speaking very positively towards the Bishop. So it was a real balance."

O'Connor says the crowd as polarized, and the format did not allow people to speak openly and freely. She says she hoped Malone would have lead more of the discussion, instead of speaking during the last few minutes. 

"That was initially just a surprise and then I found that troubling. So I had hoped to come away with a more positive hopeful feeling, but I actually am, I need to reflect more but I actually feel distressed by it," O'Connor said.

The listening session was just one of seven scheduled through August. The next session takes place Saturday, June 15 at Saint Vincent de Paul Parish, Saint Leo Site in Niagara Falls.