A procession of priests, cardinals, archbishops and bishops will lead off the official installation of the new Roman Catholic bishop of Buffalo.

The installation Mass for Bishop Richard Malone is scheduled for Friday at St. Joseph Cathedral.

The 66-year-old Malone spent eight years as bishop in Portland, Maine. Pope Benedict XVI selected him in May to succeed retiring Buffalo Bishop Edward Kmiec (KIHM'-mick).

Malone will stay active in Portland for now as apostolic administrator for the diocese while the Vatican searches for a new bishop there. The appointment will allow Malone to continue to lead the church's fight against the legalization of gay marriage in Maine. A statewide referendum on same-sex marriage is scheduled for Nov. 6.