The New York State Council of Churches conferred its first Excellence in Ecumenism Award May 12 to the Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin of the Diocese of Western New York and the Most Rev. Richard J. Malone of the Diocese of Buffalo.
“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,” said the Ven. William Parnell, the council’s president.
“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 for all people sharing in the benefits of that revitalization.
