When Bishop Edward U. Kmiec was introduced as the 13th bishop of Buffalo in August 2004, he said he came to Buffalo "to serve God, this local Church and especially to serve all of you, in the very spirit of our Lord who said, 'I have come not to be served, but to serve. Do likewise.'"

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec laid in state as friends and family members took part in a diocesan Mass on July 16 in memory of the 13th bishop of Buffalo, who passed away July 11, after a short illness.

Friends, family and faithful of the diocese met at St. Joseph Cathedral to pay respects for Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, a man known for his warmth, his smile and his leadership of the Diocese of Buffalo.

At the annual Chrism Mass, clergy renewed their priestly promises, oils were blessed, chrism was consecrated and Bishop Richard J. Malone reaffirmed his commitment to safe environments within the Diocese of Buffalo. The Mass drew diocesan clergy and congregants to St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo Tuesday, April 16.

Catholicism has always remained a key aspect of St. Patrick's Day celebrations, especially in Buffalo. Our new exclusive photo gallery looks at the recent past celebrations of the day, and the many Catholic leaders who have participated in it.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has appointed two priests to new assignments and has reappointed two others to additional term at their current parishes.

It's been 11 years since Bishop Edward U. Kmiec was installed as the 13th bishop of Buffalo in October 2004. Jump into our wayback machine to relive his welcome celebration in our new photo gallery.

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, bishop emeritus of Buffalo, will be one of two recipients of the Bishop's Medal during the 2014 Making a Difference Dinner, set for Jan. 30 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in downtown Buffalo.

Greeted by Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, the soon-to-be-retired leader of Catholics in Western New York, the incoming bishop of Buffalo, Bishop Richard J. Malone, arrived at Buffalo Niagara International Airport on Aug. 3, one week before his installation Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral.

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec ordained three new priests for the diocese at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo on June 2. The new priests, Seán Paul Fleming, Andrew Lauricella and Jeffrey Nowak, are anxious to begin serving the people of the diocese.

Describing him as, "approachable, engaging and a beacon of light for Western New York," the Muslim Public Affairs Council of Western New York will honor Bishop Edward U. Kmiec with its 2012 Community Service Award, which will be presented on June 9 at the Adam's Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo during the council's eighth annual banquet.

"It is with great joy and happiness to announce that Pope Benedict XVI has accepted my resignation and has appointed the Most. Rev. Richard J. Malone, bishop of Portland, Maine, as the new ordinary for the Diocese of Buffalo," said Bishop Edward U. Kmiec. "Bishop Malone is a colleague of mine in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and we have been acquainted over the years. He comes to Western New York with tremendous experience and a wonderful reputation for being a caring, pastoral bishop and a true shepherd to his people."

On consecutive weekends in June, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec will president over ordinations at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo.

President Barack Obama's announcement that he is now in favor of same-sex marraige has drawn crticial reaction from Catholic Church leaders in the United States. During a May 9, ABC-TV News interview, the president said, ""At a certain point, I've just concluded that, for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married."

Pointing to severe deterioration to the exterior of St. Ann Church in Buffalo, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec has ordered the suspension of all activities at the Broadway church.

With our Lenten journey near its conclusion, we turn our focus from fasting, abstinence and almsgiving, to Christ's suffering on the cross for us, His resurrection and the promise of eternal life.

Volunteers and supporters gathered today with Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, and the Catholic Charities of Buffalo Appeal leadership team to hear the progress of the Appeal to date and celebrate Appeal Week 2012. At the same time, Catholic Charities officials surprised Bishop Kmiec by announcing the re-naming of the former South Buffalo Food Pantry and Outreach, the site of the morning event, in honor of the bishop.

Bishop Kmiec's statement for the Rally for Religious Freedom in downtown Buffalo:

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of New York, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec and their brother bishops of New York state will meet with Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders at the state Capitol in Albany on Monday, March 12. It will be Cardinal Dolan's first visit to Albany since the February 18 consistory in Rome at which he was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI.

Using the analogy of building a house, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec posed a series of questions to a filled St. Joseph Cathedral on Ash Wednesday, as the church goers prepared to embark on their Lenten journey.

Today's announcement by the Holy Father that he has named Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York and Archbishop Thomas Collins of Toronto to the College of Cardinals has brought great joy to me and to the faithful of the Diocese of Buffalo.

In December of 1961, Elvis Presley's "Blue Hawaii" was number one on the album charts, President John F. Kennedy approved of the deployment of U.S. military crews and helicopters to Vietnam and young Edward U. Kmiec of Trenton, N.J. was preparing for his ordination to the priesthood.

Daybreak TV Productions of the Diocese of Buffalo was honored to produce the Christmas Midnight Mass that will air on ABC television stations nationwide on December 24 and 25.

Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI has told New York's bishops not to be silenced by those who seek to muzzle Catholicism in public life.

The music of the St. Vincent School (Elma) Bell Choir and four flautists from St. Christopher School (Tonawanda) filled the Catholic Center cafeteria on Jan. 31, marking the start of the weeklong Catholic Schools Week celebration.

The Vatican Congregation for the Clergy has upheld the decision to merge St. Adalbert Parish into St. John Kanty Parish. Both parishes are in Buffalo.

As members of Congress prepare to take a final vote on health care reform legislation, it is important to reiterate my position, and that of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.