Edward Kmiec

Edward Urban Kmiec (, ; June 4, 1936 – July 11, 2020) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the 13th bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo in New York State from 2004 to 2012.

Kmiec previously served as an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Trenton in New Jersey from 1982 to 1992 and as bishop of the Diocese of Nashville in Tennessee from 1992 to 2004

Biography Edward Kmiec was born in Trenton, New Jersey, on June 4, 1936. At age 25, Kmiec was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Trenton by Archbishop Martin O’Connor in Rome on December 20, 1961.

Auxiliary Bishop of Trenton Pope John Paul II appointed Kmiec on August 26, 1982, as an auxiliary bishop of Trenton and titular bishop of Simidicca. He was consecrated at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Trenton, New Jersey, on November 3, 1982, by Bishop John C. Reiss.

Bishop of Buffalo, New York On August 12, 2004, Kmiec was appointed by John Paul II as bishop of Buffalo.

In August 2009, the Buffalo News reported the removal of Monsignor Fred R. Voorhes, as administrator of St. Teresa's Parish in South Buffalo and the subsequent dismissal of Marc J. Pasquale, as business administrator and director of religious education at St. Teresa's. Parishioners expressed in interviews their discontent with these removals. Pasquale had gone to the Erie County District Attorney's Office prior to his dismissal to raise concerns about questionable financial practices.

Kmiec was heavily criticized for downsizing the diocese from 274 parishes and missions in 2005 to 170 in 2011. He also oversaw the closures of 25 elementary schools. The diocese under Kmiec ordained only 18 priests from 2004 to 2011.

Edward Kmiec died in Buffalo on July 11, 2020, at age 84.