FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 14, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

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

STATEMENT BY BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO AS

NEW YORK’S CHILD VICTIMS ACT TAKES EFFECT

 

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, today has issued the following statement on the first day of the one-year lookback window for claims of child sexual abuse following the passage of the New York State Child Victim’s Act this past session:

“Today, we stand with victims who were sexually abused as children. We have reached this point because too many victims all across society have sadly carried this heavy cross for far too long. Sexual abuse is a heinous crime, and victim-survivors now have a new avenue to seek redress through the Child Victims Act.

For anyone abused by a priest, employee or volunteer — I am sorry that a member of our church who you trusted became the source of pain and anguish. You should know the Diocese of Brooklyn has instituted the most aggressive policies to prevent any future abuse and to protect children.

We have also worked to put survivors first through many programs. Our Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program has settled with nearly 500 victims. It is our hope and intention to continue the IRCP. Our various support groups and our yearly Mass of Hope and Healing highlight our commitment. I have also personally met with victim-survivors to hear their heart-wrenching stories.

The Diocese of Brooklyn will never stop fighting sexual abuse. We will never stop supporting those who need healing and will forever work to restore the faith of those we have failed,” said DiMarzio.

The link to a video recording of the above statement by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio is below.

To date, the Diocese of Brooklyn has worked with nearly 500 victims and has paid over $90 million in settlements.  Earlier this year, the Diocese of Brooklyn published a list of credibly accused clergy who have served the Diocese throughout its 166-year history.

The Diocese of Brooklyn has put victim-survivors first through the resources offered by the Victim Assistance Ministry. The Diocese provides independent licensed therapists and support groups to help victim-survivors through the healing process. The Bishop also celebrates a yearly Mass of Hope and Healing bringing the faithful of Brooklyn and Queens together to pray for victim-survivors of clergy sex abuse.

Throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn, significant programs have been instituted to prevent future abuse and to protect children. They include a Zero Tolerance policy which states that any clergy member credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor is permanently removed from ministry.

The Diocese also conducts initial and ongoing background checks of all employees and volunteers and provides age-appropriate sexual abuse awareness training for children and adults.

Over 82,000 adults have been trained in sexual abuse awareness including all clergy, teachers, parish and academy/school employees, catechists and volunteers who work directly with children. Each year, over 60,000 children are instructed in the Child Lures Prevention Program.

A video explanation of the role of the Diocesan Review Board has been published on our website today. In it, Joseph Esposito, Chairperson of the Diocesan Review Board and retired NYPD Chief of Department, explains how the board handles allegations of sexual abuse against a cleric. The link to the video is below.

For more information about the ongoing efforts in the Diocese of Brooklyn, visit https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/sex-abuse-crisis-response/.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio Video Statement:
https://vimeo.com/353811094

Diocesan Review Board Explainer Video:
https://vimeo.com/353795404

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 14, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

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

 

DECLARACIÓN DEL OBISPO NICHOLAS DIMARZIO

LA LEY DE VÍCTIMAS INFANTILES DE NEW YORK ES EFECTIVA

 
Luego de la entrada en vigencia de la nueva Ley de Victimas Infantiles aprobadas por el Estado de Nueva York que abrió por un año la ventana restrospectiva que amplía el tiempo de prescripción de los delitos de abusos sexuales a menores, Monseñor Nicholas DiMarzio, Obispo de Brooklyn, emitió hoy la siguiente declaración:

 
“Hoy, estamos con víctimas que fueron abusadas sexualmente cuando eran niños. Hemos llegado a este punto porque muchas víctimas, en toda la sociedad, han llevado tristemente esta pesada cruz durante demasiado tiempo. El abuso sexual es un crimen atroz, pero los sobrevivientes ahora tienen una nueva vía para buscar reparación a través de la Ley de víctimas infantiles.

Frente a cualquier persona maltratada por un sacerdote, empleado o voluntario, lamento que un miembro de nuestra Iglesia, en quien usted confiaba, se convirtiera en una fuente de dolor y angustia. Debe saber que la Diócesis de Brooklyn ha instituido las políticas más agresivas para prevenir futuros abusos y proteger a los niños.

También hemos trabajado para poner a las víctimas en primer lugar a través de muchos programas. Nuestro programa independiente de reconciliación y compensación (IRCP) ha indemnizado ya a casi 500 víctimas. Es nuestra esperanza e intención continuar con el IRCP. Nuestros diversos grupos de apoyo y la Misa anual de Esperanza y Sanación destacan nuestro compromiso. También me he reunido personalmente con víctimas y sobrevivientes para escuchar sus desgarradoras historias.

La Diócesis de Brooklyn nunca dejará de luchar contra el abuso sexual. Nunca dejaremos de apoyar a quienes necesitan curación y trabajaremos siempre para restaurar la fe de aquellos a quienes le hemos fallado .”

 
Al final de la nota está disponible un enlace donde se puede ver la declaración del obispo en el idioma original.

 
Hasta la fecha, la Diócesis de Brooklyn ha trabajado con casi 500 víctimas y ha pagado más de $ 90 millones en indemnizaciones. A principios de este año, la Diócesis de Brooklyn publicó una lista de clérigos acusados creiblemente que han servido a la Diócesis a lo largo de sus 166 años de historia.

 
La Diócesis de Brooklyn ha puesto a las víctimas y sobrevivientes en el primer lugar a través de los recursos ofrecidos por el Ministerio de Asistencia a las Víctimas. Además de  proporcionarles terapeutas con licencia independientes y grupos de apoyo para ayudarlos a través del proceso de sanación. El Obispo también celebra una Misa anual de Esperanza y Sanación que reúne a los fieles de Brooklyn y Queens para rezar por las víctimas-sobrevivientes del abuso sexual del clero.

A lo largo de la jurisdicción diocesana, se han instituido importantes programas para prevenir futuros abusos y proteger a los niños. Incluyen una política de Tolerancia Cero que establece que cualquier miembro del clero acusado creíblemente de abuso sexual de un menor es removido permanentemente del ministerio.

 
La Diócesis también lleva a cabo verificaciones de antecedentes iniciales y continuas de todos los empleados y voluntarios y brinda capacitación de concientización sobre abuso sexual apropiada para niños y adultos.

 
Más de 82,000 adultos han recibido capacitación sobre el abuso sexual, incluidos todos clerigos, empleados, maestros de parroquias y academias / escuelas, catequistas y voluntarios que trabajan directamente con los niños. Cada año, más de 60,000 niños reciben instrucción en el Programa de prevención de señuelos infantiles.

 
Hoy se ha publicado en nuestro sitio web una explicación en video del papel de la Junta de Revisión Diocesana. En él, Joseph Esposito, presidente de la Junta de Revisión Diocesana y Jefe retirado del Departamento de Policía de Nueva York, explica cómo la junta maneja las denuncias de abuso sexual contra un clérigo. El enlace al video está abajo.

 
Para obtener más información sobre los esfuerzos en curso en la Diócesis de Brooklyn, visite https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/sex-abuse-crisis-response/.

 
Declaración en video del obispo Nicholas DiMarzio:

https://vimeo.com/353811094

 
Video explicativo de la Junta de Revisión Diocesana:

https://vimeo.com/353795404

 
 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 13, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

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

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN ANNOUNCES DECISIONS REACHED IN FOUR INVESTIGATIONS

The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing the conclusion of several investigations involving four priests who were recently accused of sexual abuse during the 1970s. Sexual abuse is a heinous, sinful crime and the Diocese of Brooklyn is committed to remaining vigilant against such abuse.

These case determinations were made by the Diocesan Review Board (Review Board), which is comprised of lay independent professionals: former law enforcement officers, lawyers with experience in family law and child abuse, healthcare professionals and mental health professionals. Throughout the process, the guidelines set forth by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People were followed.

 

REV. CHARLES WHITE

A recent claim of alleged sexual abuse of a minor, dating back to the 1970s against 79-year-old retired Father Charles White, has been investigated and determined by the Review Board to be a credible allegation of sexual misconduct against a minor. By “credible” the Diocesan officials believe that the allegations may be true.

As a result of the Review Board’s determination, Father Charles White, who was ordained on May 29, 1965, has been removed from public ministry. That means he is not permitted to celebrate Mass publicly, cannot exercise any public ministry and cannot live in a parish residence.

BACKGROUND

The allegation was called in to the Independent Reporting Line on March 29, 2018, and forwarded to law enforcement that same day. Father White was informed of the allegation, which was referred for investigation on March 30, 2018.

The reported abuse allegedly took place between 1974-1978 while Father White was serving at American Martyrs Church in Queens.

While investigating this claim, another allegation made on February 1, 1999, was discovered. In that case, the Review Board determined in a letter dated April 24, 2004, that the claim of sexual abuse of a minor was not credible.

As a result of the accusation reported in 2018, the allegation reported in 1999 was reopened and the Review Board determined it was also a substantiated, credible allegation of sexual misconduct against a minor.

Due to the Review Board’s findings, Father Charles White will be placed on the list of credibly accused priests, which the Diocese published on their website (https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/sex-abuse-crisis-response/list/) earlier this year.

 

REV. HUGH BYRNE

A recent claim of alleged sexual abuse of a minor, dating back to the 1970s against 86-year-old retired Father Hugh Byrne, has been investigated by the Review Board and found to be a credible allegation of sexual misconduct against a minor. By “credible” the Diocesan officials believe that the allegations may be true.

As a result of the Review Board’s determination, Father Hugh Byrne, who was ordained on June 2, 1962, has been removed from public ministry. That means he is not permitted to celebrate Mass publicly, cannot exercise any public ministry and cannot live in a parish residence.

BACKGROUND

The allegation was reported to the Independent Reporting Line on December 20, 2017, and forwarded to law enforcement that same day. Father Byrne was informed of this allegation, which was referred for investigation on December 31, 2017.

The reported abuse allegedly took place between 1971-1973, when Father Byrne was serving at Holy Ghost Parish in Brooklyn (since renamed Holy Spirit).

As a result of this investigation, another allegation that dated back to 1996 was found. There is no record of a formal investigation for that allegation which was reported to the diocese on June 15, 2006, and was reported to law enforcement on that date as well. The records show after an initial interview, the alleged victim did not pursue the allegation further.

As a result of the 2017 report, the allegation received in 2006 was reopened and investigated concurrently with the allegation made in 2017 and also determined to be credible by the Review Board.

Due to the Review Board’s findings, Father Hugh Byrne will be placed on the list of credibly accused priests, which the Diocese published on their website (https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/sex-abuse-crisis-response/list/) earlier this year.

 

REV. JOSEPH NOLAN

An allegation of sexual abuse of a minor dating back to the 1970s against 97-year-old retired Father Joseph Nolan has been investigated and determined by the Review Board to be not credible.

The reported abuse allegedly took place between 1976-1979 while Father Nolan was serving at Our Lady of Snows Catholic Church in Queens. Father Nolan served at that parish between 1975-1984.

The allegation was received on Dec 20, 2017, in conjunction with the alleged victim’s registration for the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program. It was reported to law enforcement that same day. The case was referred for investigation on December 31, 2017.

The Review Board has now presented its findings and has determined there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the claim against Father Nolan as credible. Their investigation found no corroboration of what the victim alleged.

Father Joseph Nolan was ordained on May 31, 1947. Prior to this allegation, Father Nolan had another allegation reported to the diocese on December 20, 2017, through an attorney. After many unsuccessful attempts by the attorney to contact the complainant, the attorney dropped that case.

 

REV. WILLIAM WITH

An allegation of sexual abuse of a minor dating back to the 1970s against Father William With, pastor at Resurrection Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn since 2004, has been investigated and determined by the Review Board to be not credible.

The reported abuse allegedly took place between 1972-1975 at Our Lady of the Cenacle Roman Catholic Church in Queens. Father With served at that parish between 1972-1976.

The allegation was formally reported to the diocese through the Independent Reporting Line on March 29, 2018. On that same day, it was reported to law enforcement. The Diocese informed Father With of the allegation and an investigation began.

The Diocesan Review Board has now presented its findings and has determined there was insufficient evidence to substantiate that the claim against Father With was credible. Their investigation found no corroboration with what the victim alleged.

A letter was read to parishioners at Resurrection Roman Catholic Church this past weekend (August 10-11) informing them of the conclusion of this investigation.

Father William A. With was ordained on May 27, 1972. Prior to this allegation, there has never been any allegation of misconduct in Father With’s 47 years of service in the Diocese of Brooklyn. He has no history of being disciplined due to any complaints.

 

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