FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 26, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

U.S. SUPREME COURT GRANTS EMERGENCY RELIEF IN RELIGIOUS FREEDOM CASE FILED BY THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN

AGAINST GOVERNOR CUOMO

 

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn today announced the United States Supreme Court has issued an emergency writ of injunction in their case brought against New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, in which the Diocese alleges that the COVID-19 restrictions on church attendance in “red” and “orange” zones violate the Diocese’s fundamental right to the free exercise of religion, protected by the United States Constitution.

“I am gratified by the decision of the Justices of the United States Supreme Court, who have recognized the clear First Amendment violation and urgent need for relief in this case. I am proud to be leading the Diocese of Brooklyn and fighting for our sacred and constitutional right to worship,” said The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

This decision by the highest court in the land marks a major turning point in this legal journey, which began in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in early October. On October 16, the district court denied the Diocese’s motion for a preliminary injunction. Following a 2-1 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit denying the Diocese’s motion to enjoin the restrictions pending the Diocese’s appeal, the Diocese filed an emergency application in the Supreme Court on November 9, 2020.

“I have said from the beginning the restrictions imposed by Governor Cuomo were an overreach that did not take into account the size of our churches or the safety protocols that have kept parishioners safe. Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens have adhered to all COVID-19 safety protocols to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist. Our churches have not been the cause of any outbreaks. We have taken our legal battle this far because we should be considered essential, for what could be more essential than safely gathering in prayer in a time of pandemic. Now, with the benefit of the Supreme Court’s ruling, we look forward to continuing the fight in the lower courts to ensure that these unconstitutional restrictions are permanently enjoined once and for all,” continued Bishop DiMarzio.

The Diocese of Brooklyn is being represented by litigation attorney Randy M. Mastro, a partner in the New York office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.  “We are extremely grateful that the Supreme Court has acted so swiftly and decisively to protect one of our most fundamental constitutional rights — the free exercise of religion. Bishop DiMarzio has been a profile in courage, committed to reopening Brooklyn’s churches, safely, and keeping them open. So this is a great victory for the Diocese’s churches, but it is also a victory for all people of faith whose rights have now been vindicated,” Mr. Mastro said.

The appeal of the district court’s earlier decision denying preliminary injunctive relief is ongoing in the Second Circuit, with oral argument scheduled for Friday, December 18.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

BROOKLYN AND QUEENS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES TO CONTINUE IN-PERSON LEARNING

Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for Brooklyn and Queens, has announced that all 69 schools and academies will remain open and continue to provide in-person learning, in spite of the decision made to close New York City public schools indefinitely starting tomorrow.

“I am frustrated that the Mayor’s announcement was made as Catholic schools and academies throughout Brooklyn and Queens were dismissing our students. I want to make it clear to parents, teachers, staff, and students that the Mayor’s announcement only pertains to New York City public schools, and our schools will be open tomorrow. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that our school community remains safe for everyone, and we will continue to ensure strict compliance with all health and safety protocols,” said Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Catholic Schools ~ Office of Support Services.

Catholic schools in the Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens have provided safe, five days a week in-person learning since beginning this school year, as scheduled, on September 9. The Superintendent, along with the Superintendent of the Archdiocese of New York, has received confirmation from the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Non-Public Schools that they will maintain entitled services for Catholic school students, including school nurses, transportation, and food.

Catholic Academies and Parish Schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn have successfully operated for more than two months due to the strict adherence to the important “Core Four” actions to prevent COVID-19 transmission, including maintaining physical distance, wearing a face covering, practicing healthy hand hygiene, and staying home if sick. The schools and academies of the Diocese of Brooklyn continue to work with New York State and City Department of Health officials on a regular basis to maintain the safety of all of our students, faculty, and staff.

For a listing and more information about Catholic Schools in Brooklyn and Queens, please visit catholicschoolsbq.org.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

The following press notification is being shared on behalf of our colleagues at Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens regarding tomorrow’s Annual Turkey Giveaway in Brooklyn where 900 turkeys and food vouchers will be distributed. Members of the media are encouraged to attend. For further information on the event, please contact Lucy Garrido-Mota of Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens at (347) 786-2846 or Lucy.gmota@ccbq.org, or the Brooklyn Diocese Press Office.

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Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens to Distribute 900 Turkeys and Food Vouchers to Families in Need in Brooklyn and Queens during the Annual Turkey Giveaway this Thanksgiving Holiday

 

WHEN:          Tuesday, November 17, 2020

10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Rain or Shine

WHERE:       St. Francis of Assisi – St. Blaise Parish Parking Lot

400 Lincoln Road, Brooklyn, NY 11225

 

WHAT:       Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens will distribute 900 Thanksgiving turkeys and food vouchers to families and individuals in need in Brooklyn and Queens during the Annual Turkey Giveaway this Thanksgiving Holiday. The distribution of the 12-14 lbs. turkeys is co-sponsored by the offices of NYS Senator Zellnor Myrie and Assemblywoman Diana Richardson

The turkeys will be donated by Alphonse & Maria Catanese and family in honor of their parents, the offices of NYS Senator Zellnor Myrie and Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, and EJ Electric. The Farmers to Families Box program will also be providing food locally sourced in New York to the families.

Food vouchers for turkey dinner fixings will be provided and distributed by Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens in increments of $25.00 for a total of $25,000.

Distribution of the Thanksgiving Holiday turkey and vouchers is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Photo opportunities:

• Lines of individuals waiting to pick up turkeys
• Volunteers unloading a truck of frozen turkeys
• Volunteers packing and distributing frozen turkeys and food vouchers

The official media advisory for this event is attached.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 15, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

Catholic Schools in Brooklyn and Queens Will Remain Open

The Superintendent of Catholic Schools for Brooklyn and Queens today has announced that all 69 schools and academies will remain open and continue to provide in-person learning, irrespective of any impending decision pertaining to the status of New York City public schools.

Catholic schools in the Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens have provided safe, five days a week in-person learning since beginning this school year, as scheduled, on September 9. The Superintendent has also requested the Department of Education’s Office of Non-Public Schools continue to provide services for Catholic school students, which they are entitled to, including school nurses, transportation, and food, if public schools are to close.

“Every member of our school community has truly dedicated themselves to keeping our schools as safe as possible in the wake of this Coronavirus pandemic, and the results prove these efforts have worked.  For more than eight weeks, we have been able to maintain in-person learning for our students, mostly five days a week, and we intend to keep doing so going forward this school year. We know how critical it is for the development of our students to keep our schools open. Our children want to be in the classroom and we want them to be there for as long as safely possible,” said Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Catholic Schools ~ Office of Support Services.

Diocesan schools have successfully operated for more than two months due to the strict adherence to the important “Core Four” actions to prevent COVID-19 transmission, including maintaining physical distance, wearing a face covering, practicing healthy hand hygiene, and staying home if sick. The schools and academies of the Diocese of Brooklyn continue to work with New York State and City Department of Health officials on a regular basis to maintain the safety of all of our students, faculty, and staff.

For a listing and more information about Catholic Schools in Brooklyn and Queens, please visit catholicschoolsbq.org.

 

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