The diocese has seen a steady exodus from the pews and a decline in donations, local Catholics said. A poll conducted by The Buffalo News in September showed that 86 percent of local Catholics wanted Bishop Malone gone.

“For better or worse, he had become the lightning rod for all that was wrong, and we really weren’t going to make any progress toward healing and reconciliation as long as he remained,” said John J. Hurley , the president of Canisius College, who was part of a lay group, the Movement to Restore Trust, that had called for Bishop Malone’s removal. “People are hopeful that we are turning the page and looking forward to a new day.”

But the Buffalo Diocese’s troubles are far from over. It is facing more than 200 child sex abuse lawsuits under the Child Victims Act, and is under investigation by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York attorney general for its handling of abusive priests over decades.

The bishop of Albany, Edward B. Scharfenberger, will be the temporary administrator of the diocese, the Vatican said.

In the past few years, Bishop Scharfenberger has gained a reputation for taking a more empathetic approach in his handling of the abuse crisis, and he has called for deeper involvement by the laity to help the church move forward.

“I am here to walk with you, and I am hear to help you heal,” he said Wednesday at a news conference in Buffalo announcing his appointment, which he will hold alongside his current role.

Bishop Malone’s resignation was first reported on Monday by Whispers in the Loggia, a blog run by Rocco Palmo , a church analyst. He called Bishop Malone’s resignation “reluctant at best.”