Thank you for pointing that out! Here is the revised response without the suspected phrase:
After a viral social media post on Sunday highlighted the sale of a prominent Catholic church in Buffalo to a Muslim group, the timeline for the church’s ultimate conversion to a mosque remains unclear.
The Diocese of Buffalo sold the former St. Ann’s Church and Shrine to a group associated with the local Downtown Islamic Center in late 2022.
The Buffalo News reported that Buffalo Crescent Holdings, a group associated with the Downtown Islamic Center, purchased the property in November 2022 for $250,000. The Islamic Center already operates a small place of worship near the former church.
Plans for a multimillion-dollar project at one point included an Islamic school and college for as many as 3,000 students, a shopping plaza, and a Muslim funeral home. The Downtown Islamic Center seems to be moving forward with minor updates to the property for now.
The troubled Diocese of Buffalo announced the sale of its downtown headquarters in March for nearly $10 million, part of ongoing efforts to address financial challenges, including a bankruptcy filing and abuse claims.
St. Ann’s, a historic parish established in 1886, faced closure over a decade ago due to structural issues and high renovation costs. Despite initial Vatican restrictions on its sale for profane use, a subsequent ruling allowed the property to be sold.
If St. Ann’s eventually becomes a mosque, it wouldn’t be the first Catholic church in Buffalo to undergo such a transformation. Several other churches have transitioned to mosques over the years, reflecting changing demographics and religious practices in the area.
The future of St. Ann’s Church and Shrine holds significant implications for both the local Catholic community and the growing Muslim population in Buffalo. The evolving use of religious spaces underscores the need for understanding and dialogue among different faith traditions in a rapidly changing society.
