Michael W. Fisher was installed Friday as the new bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo. Photo by the Diocese of Buffalo

The Buffalo Diocese installed a new bishop Friday, Bishop Michael W. Fisher.

Fisher takes over for Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, who has been overseeing the Buffalo Diocese as well as the diocese in Albany for the last year following the resignation of Bishop Richard Malone.

During the Rite of Installation, Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter of appointment was read by diocesan Chancellor, Sister Regina Murphy, SSMN.

After the reading of the “papal bull” and it being presented to the diocesan College of Consultors, Bishop Fisher was escorted by Cardinal Timothy Dolan to the cathedral (bishop’s chair) where Bishop Fisher officially assumed leadership of the Diocese of Buffalo.

“It’s with the greatest humility that I accept this call to now serve you as your 15th bishop, and which I view as a continuation of the assent to Christian discipleship, first offered on my behalf at baptism some 62 years ago by my wonderful and devoted parents, Margo and Bill,” Fisher said. “Together with my adoring grandparents who were such a presence and positive influence in our lives, I bring their memory to this altar today in a very special way, with the unqualified admission that all which has brought me to this point and enabled me over these many years to hear the often subtle voice of God -and to say yes again and again to His promptings -was made possible by their tremendous love and remarkable example of Faith and faithfulness.”

“The good people of the Diocese,whom I have been blessed to serve over the past year, have been blessed with a devoted and devout pastor who is eager to continue the work of renewal and define a new era of vitality and increased impact of Catholic faith and ministry throughout Western New York.” Scharfenberger said of Fisher. “I give thanks to God and to the Holy Father, Pope Francis for the gift of his leadership and ministry that will most certainly bear much fruit in the years ahead.”

Fisher, 62, a native of Baltimore and the oldest of five children born to Margo and the late William “Bill” Fisher, was ordained to the priesthood in 1990.

He was assigned to Sacred Heart parish in La Plata, Md., and in 1995 as a pastor of Holy Family parish in Hillcrest Heights, MD. Four years later, he became pastor of St. John Neumann parish in Gaithersburg, Md.

Throughout his 30 years of ministry, Fisher has served on various boards and committees of the Archdiocese of Washington.

Much of Fisher’s ministry has involved the continuing education of priests, particularly in aiding new pastors in their roles and the planning and implementation of ongoing clergy training via convocations and retreats.