Bishop Richard Malone remains steadfast in seeing a number of issues through as they continue to mount, including recent word that the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo could now soon be part of a local criminal investigation.
"We'll have to wait and see, what this entails," said Bishop Malone.
Bishop Malone is now awaiting details after Erie County District Attorney John Flynn announced Monday his office is now investigating sexual harassment claims from former Christ the King seminarian Matthew Bojanowski against Father Jeffrey Nowak.
GOSHGARIAN: Will you cooperate with the investigation?
"Absolutely, we cooperate with any investigation that comes our way," said Bishop Malone.
Bishop Malone removed Fr. Nowak from ministry months after the initial complaint was filed.
He says the investigation, that also involved his longtime priest secretary Father Ryszard Biernat, was complicated and needed time to collect the evidence, including a so-called love letter, and process it all.
GOSHGARIAN: Once again, critics yell, ‘Cover-up.’ Was it?
“No, it was not a cover-up. All these things have to be dealt with. They're the cause of more dismay to our Catholic people. Things just keep getting piled on and piled on," said Bishop Malone.
Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan adding to that pile, keeping a close eye on Bishop Malone and the diocese.
And while Bishop Malone says there is no formal investigation underway, the two have been in close contact.
"He talks it through with me. And he really doesn't take a position on it. It's really up to The Holy See. If the Vatican decides to do a review of our situation here in Buffalo and of my ministry, I welcome that, I welcome that," said Bishop Malone.
That review could lead to Pope Francis to ask for Bishop Malone's resignation, or Bishop Malone petitioning the pontiff asking if he'd allow him to step down.
"And have very compelling reasons to ask that, and I'm not ready to do that," said Bishop Malone.
GOSHGARIAN: How close have you come to potentially doing that?
"Not at all," said Bishop Malone.
GOSHGARIAN: Not at all?
"Not a bit. I want to see this through," said Bishop Malone.
The abuse crisis he wants to see through has produced more than 150 lawsuits under the Child Victims Act since the one year look-back window opened last month.
"So we've been watching the numbers very, very carefully," said Bishop Malone.
And heavily weighing the options of either litigating the cases and settling through insurance or filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
While he has yet to make a formal decision, he says filing for bankruptcy would prevent early settlements with large payouts from depleting Church funds.
"I'd like to say we're facing a cross-roads. It kind of levels the playing field for the victims in terms of the resources that will be available. It will allow us to continue the rest of the Church's mission," said Malone.
It’s a mission tarnished with scandal and allegations of sexual abuse — issues Bishop Malone hopes will be solved with newly revised conduct policies and procedures unveiled Tuesday for dealing with adult abuse allegations.
GOSHGARIAN: Does it fix the image problem?
"Well I don't know. I pray it will. I get it. I honestly get it why the image is marred. I get it. When people tell me their trust in the Church has lessened or perhaps deteriorated. Why some people have lost faith in me as bishop of the diocese," said Bishop Malone.
GOSHGARIAN: How much of this consumes your day and how much other work are you able to get done?
"The work of the Church continues and that's a big part of my responsibility, but right now, so is reaching out to our victim survivors and trying to bring them the healing and justice they so deserve," said Bishop Malone.
They’re responsibilities he says he plans to fulfill until he's eligible to retire in March 2021.
GOSHGARIAN: How do you want to be remembered, your legacy?
"As a person who is an imperfect Christian, but not an evil person. Have I made mistakes that have been hurtful? Yes, I have. I regret them, I repent of them," said Bishop Malone.
GOSHGARIAN: How do you survive this?
"I'm relying on the Lord Jesus more than I ever have to guide me and to accompany me through this dark period. But I see signs of light at the end," said Bishop Malone.
As for the DA's case, all Flynn's office can tell Spectrum News is the case remains under investigation but would not elaborate on a timeline or its next step.