Two Bishops Receive Award

Bishop Franklin, Diocesan News, Front Page • May 20th, 2016

The New York State Council of Churches recently awarded the first Excellence in Ecumenism award to Bishop R. William Franklin of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York and Bishop Richard J. Malone of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.

The Ven. William Parnell, President of the Council said, “In a time when Christian denominations have a propensity to keep to themselves, the Council is passionate about Jesus’ call on us to be one.”

The Council selected Bishops Franklin and Malone for the award because of their joint work on issues of inclusion and justice.

As Parnell said in presenting the award, “What is very striking to us as a Council are the powerful ways in which Bishop Franklin, an Episcopalian and Bishop Malone, a Roman Catholic, have so fervently embraced the emerging ecumenical spirit of our time.  We are impressed by their willingness to set aside parochial concerns to help the people in Buffalo and the surrounding regions see that they are inextricably bound to each other.  We particularly appreciate their passion for ensuring that the poor and dispossessed can participate in the economic renewal of the region and not be left behind.”

Bishop Franklin and Bishop Malone have issued two joint pastoral letters on the topic of the economic renewal of the Buffalo region and have called on members of their churches to work to ensure that all people can share in the benefits of the economic revitalization.