Author: Len Camporeale

Declaración de Mons. Nicholas DiMarzio, obispo de Brooklyn, sobre el fallo de la Corte Suprema a favor de D.A.C.A.

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PARA SU PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA: 18 de junio de 2020

 

CONTACTOS EN LOS MEDIOS:

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

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

Declaración de Mons. Nicholas DiMarzio, obispo de Brooklyn, sobre el fallo de la

Corte Suprema a favor de D.A.C.A.

 

El Reverendísimo Mons. Nicholas DiMarzio, obispo de Brooklyn, emitió el siguiente comunicado en respuesta al fallo de la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos que ha impedido la cancelación del programa D.A.C.A:

“Hoy, la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos hizo lo correcto y moral al tomar la decisión de rechazar el intento de la administración Trump de poner fin al programa de Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia —conocido como D.A.C.A., por sus siglas en inglés— por razones humanitarias”. El tribunal supremo reconoció la intención de la ley y también la imposibilidad humana de afectar un cambio que conduciría a la deportación de muchos jóvenes traídos a los Estados Unidos cuando eran niños.

Los Dreamers (soñadores) llegaron a este país con sus padres, sin intención de violar la ley. Para la mayoría de ellos, Estados Unidos es el único país que conocen. Muchos soñadores han venido y han cumplido su propio sueño americano, obteniendo una educación y alcanzando metas con las que sus padres solo podían soñar. Las noticias de hoy destacan sus éxitos y sus contribuciones a nuestra nación. Una de las noticias señalaba que “los trabajadores en el sector de la salud y que se encuentran en la primera línea de la lucha contra el coronavirus dependen de unos 27,000 receptores de D.A.C.A., ‘incluidos dentistas, farmacéuticos, asistentes médicos, asistentes de salud en el hogar, técnicos’ y casi 200 estudiantes de medicina”.

Esta decisión es acertada y justa para estos jóvenes indocumentados, que han sido víctimas de un feroz debate político y han estado viviendo bajo el temor constante de la deportación. Deportar a los Dreamers a tierras desconocidas hace caso omiso de sus sacrificios, sus aportes y su enorme potencial. También significaría una gran pérdida para nuestro país.

La inmigración es uno de los temas más complejos y polémicos de nuestro tiempo. He dedicado estos últimos 50 años de mi sacerdocio a ayudar a inmigrantes y refugiados. Hoy, albergo las esperanzas para nuestra nación, de que esta decisión del tribunal supremo del país conducirá a una reforma migratoria integral de la que hemos estado hablando durante años”.

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Durante mucho tiempo, el obispo Nicholas DiMarzio ha sido líder nacional e internacional en defensa de los migrantes y recién llegados. Es presidente de la junta del Centro de Estudios sobre Migración. Mons. DiMarzio fue miembro del Consejo Pontificio para la Atención Pastoral de los Migrantes e Itinerantes. Además, se desempeñó como director ejecutivo del Comité de Migración de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos (USCCB, por sus siglas en inglés), presidente de la Red Católica de Inmigración Legal (CLINIC, por sus siglas en inglés) y representante de los Estados Unidos ante la Comisión Mundial sobre las Migraciones Internacionales, una Comisión auspiciada por las Naciones Unidas.

 

Mons. DiMarzio también ha sido miembro de las juntas de la Comisión Católica Internacional de Migración (ICMC, por su sigla en inglés) y del Foro Nacional de Inmigración, Refugiados y Ciudadanía. Ha presidido la Junta de Consejeros y es miembro del Instituto de Políticas de Migración (MPI, por su sigla en inglés). Además ocupar varios cargos de liderazgo, el obispo DiMarzio ha publicado numerosos documentos y discursos, y en repetidas ocasiones ha declarado ante el Congreso sobre asuntos migratorios.

Statement by Brooklyn Bishop DiMarzio on Today’s Supreme Court Ruling on DACA

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 18, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
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Statement by Brooklyn Bishop DiMarzio on Today’s Supreme Court Ruling on DACA

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, has issued the following statement in response to today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling preventing the discontinuation of the D.A.C.A. program:

“Today the United States Supreme Court did the right and moral thing with its decision to halt the Trump administration’s attempt to end DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, based on humanitarian grounds. The high court recognized the intent of the law and also the human impossibility of affecting a change which would lead to the deportation of many young people brought to the U.S. as children.

The Dreamers came to this country with their parents, with no intent to break the law. For most of them, America is the only country they have ever known. Many dreamers have come and fulfilled their own American Dream, getting an education, and making a life their parents could only dream of. Today’s news reports highlight their success and their contributions to our country. In one it said ‘frontline health care workers involved in responding to the coronavirus epidemic rely on about 27,000 DACA recipients, “including dentists, pharmacists, physician assistants, home health aides, technicians” and nearly 200 medical students.’

This decision is right and just for these undocumented youth, who have been victims in a fierce political debate and have been living under the constant fear of deportation. Deporting the Dreamers to unfamiliar lands would disregard their sacrifices, contributions, and immense potential. It would also be a great loss for our country.

Immigration is one of the most complex and controversial issues of our time. These past 50 years of my priesthood have been dedicated to assisting immigrants and refugees. Today, I am hopeful for our country, that this decision by the highest court in the land will lead to the comprehensive immigration reform we have been talking about for years.”

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Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has long been a national and international leader in the defense of migrants and newcomers. He is Chairman of the Board of the Center for Migration Studies. Bishop DiMarzio was a Member of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. In addition, he has served as Chairman of the Migration Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Chairman of the Board of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), and the representative from the United States to the Global Commission on International Migration, a United Nations-sponsored Commission.

Bishop DiMarzio also served on the Boards of the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) and the National Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Forum. He has chaired the Board of Trustees and is a member of the Migration Policy Institute (MPI). In addition to the many leadership positions he has held, Bishop DiMarzio has published numerous papers and speeches and testified before Congress on migration issues on many occasions.

“Faith and America’s Original Sin:” A Currents News Special Broadcast on Racism in the Diocese of Brooklyn Takes an Introspective Look by Listening to African American Catholics

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 17, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

“Faith and America’s Original Sin:” A Currents News Special Broadcast on Racism in the Diocese of Brooklyn Takes an Introspective Look by Listening to African American Catholics

Currents News, the nightly program that covers news from the Catholic perspective on NET-TV, is airing a special broadcast that addresses the issue of racism and the progress being made in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

“Faith and America’s Original Sin,” hosted by Currents News Anchor Christine Persichette, will air tonight at 7:30 pm on NET-TV, the cable channel of the Diocese of Brooklyn. The special program addresses the work of the Diocesan Commission on Racism and Social Justice, which was instituted by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio in 2017, after the white supremacist rallies in Charlottesville, Virginia.  The special features testimonials from listening session members and Commission members.

The Commission has been hosting listening sessions with African-American Catholics in the Diocese to hear their perspective. “I think it was very important that we listen to the people of our diocese to understand their experience of racism both in society and within the church,” said Auxiliary Bishop Neil Tiedemann, Chair of the Commission.

Father Alonzo Cox, Secretary of the Commission, said hearing stories of racism experienced by Catholics is necessary, painful as it is. “We went on to ask our participants how they have experienced racism. Many of them gave horror stories unfortunately of how people in the pews treated them, how they were treated by priests or religious and a lot of it is perception. They perceived that they felt treated differently because of the color of their skin,” said Father Cox.

“We are moving forward so that each and every one of us can come together to preach the word of God,”  said Father Cox. He also speaks of two late priests on the path to Sainthood, Monsignor Bernard J. Quinn, and Father Augustus Tolton.

Monsignor Quinn opened a church for African American Catholics, St. Peter Claver in Bedford-Stuyvesant, at a time when the color of one’s skin was a barrier to attending Mass. Father Augustus Tolton, who was born a slave, was the first African-American priest ordained in the United States. Father Tolton had to attend a seminary in Rome for no American seminaries at the time would accept him.

“It is incumbent upon all of us to broaden ourselves to get to know persons beyond our so-called circle of comfort,” said Judge Bert Anthony Bunyan, a Commission Member.

Currents News airs on NET-TV in the New York City market seven days a week. It’s available on Spectrum, channel 97; Optimum, channel 30; Fios by Verizon, channel 48.

“Faith and America’s Original Sin,” can also be seen on the Currents News YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/MEoqs_LdTJE.

 

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BROOKLYN AND QUEENS CATHOLIC SCHOOL GRADUATIONS HIGHLIGHT STORIES OF HOPE AND SUCCESS NET-TV Graduation Special To Celebrate Strong Foundation of Faith and Academics

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

BROOKLYN AND QUEENS CATHOLIC SCHOOL GRADUATIONS HIGHLIGHT STORIES OF HOPE AND SUCCESS

NET-TV Graduation Special To Celebrate Strong Foundation of Faith and Academics

 

The Diocese of Brooklyn and the Superintendent of Catholic Schools are announcing that tomorrow, Friday, June 12, 2020, Catholic elementary academies and schools throughout Brooklyn and Queens will mark the achievements of the Class of 2020 in a variety of ways, different from years past, as a result of the Coronavirus.

The Diocesan cable channel, NET-TV, is in a special way honoring the Class of 2020 with graduation tribute programming. The graduation series will highlight students of the 50 participating schools beginning tonight, Thursday, June 11, at 8:30 PM, continuing Friday, June 12 at 8:30 PM, and concluding on Monday, June 15 at 8:30 PM.  Tune in to NET-TV on Channel 97 (Spectrum), Channel 30 (Optimum), and Channel 48 on (Fios by Verizon) or on YouTube at NETTVCATHOLIC. For a complete schedule, including encore presentations, visit www.netny.tv.

The Diocese is further highlighting stories of inspiration and success of the members of the Class of 2020 from five of its schools.

St. Frances De Sales Catholic Academy (Belle Harbor, Queens)

Thirteen years ago, 11-month old Maggie Kelly was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. With much prayer, faith, amazing doctors, and support, Maggie, who doctors said would not survive chemotherapy, is now graduating 8th grade from St. Francis de Sales.

St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy was their family’s safe place.  They knew when they sent their oldest child who was three at the time that she would be loved and cared for while the family was busy taking care of Maggie. It was then time to enroll Maggie, and the family was recently quoted saying “We thank you for all of your patience, help and mostly the love you have shown Maggie over her years at St. Francis. With tears of joy, we will be forever grateful to all of you! Miracles do happen!”

St. Peter Catholic Academy (Bensonhurst, Brooklyn)

This year’s valedictorian, Samantha Chan, is the daughter of a healthcare worker. Samantha found her faith in the 4th grade at Saint Peter’s when Mrs. Alfeo, her teacher at the time and now principal, was teaching a religion lesson. At the end of the lesson, Samantha asked to become Catholic. Mrs. Alfeo is Samantha’s Godmother and Confirmation sponsor.

Due to the fear of the Coronavirus, Samantha and her younger sister were not allowed outside throughout the pandemic. The first time outside for Samantha was when Mrs. Alfeo and teachers delivered a graduation sign to Samantha.

Divine Mercy Catholic Academy (Ozone Park, Queens)

8th Grader Brandon Wilk’s incredible academic efforts have made Brandon one of the students offered the most scholarship money ever to a student ever at the school. Brandon earned scholarships totaling $158,000 awarded from four Catholic high schools including Xavier, Cathedral Prep, Archbishop Molloy, and Regis High School, which he will attend in September on a full scholarship.

St. Sebastian Catholic Academy (Woodside, Queens)

This year’s 8th-grade valedictorian, Carolina Corcuera, is at the top of her class and follows a family legacy of school graduates. Her mother and aunts attended and graduated from St. Sebastian. Carolina has two younger siblings currently enrolled in the school, and her Mom is a board member of the Home Academy Association.

St. Bernadette Catholic Academy (Dyker Heights, Brooklyn)

The graduating Class of 2020 has two final graduates of two families who each chose St. Bernadette’s as the elementary school for their five daughters.  The graduation tomorrow, for both the Trantino Family and the Peralta Family, will bring an end to a 20 year run at St Bernadette’s.

For more information and to arrange interviews with these students, please contact John Quaglione at jquaglione@desalesmedia.org.

A promotional graphic of the NET-TV special graduation special schedule is attached.

 

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Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens to Host Pop-Up Food Distribution in Queens for Neighbors in Need Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens to Host Pop-Up Food Distribution in Queens for Neighbors in Need Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic

WHAT: Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens will distribute 3,600 bags of food at a Pop-Up Food Distribution in Cambria Heights at Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church located at 115-50 221st Street in the Cambria Heights section of Queens, tomorrow, Friday, June 12, 2020, from 9:30 a.m. until supplies last.

Since March 24th, Catholic Charities has:

  • Provided over 316,000 meals at emergency Pop-Up Food Distributions in Brooklyn and Queens. 
  • Provided over 250,000 meals at our food pantries.
  • Witnessed an increase in demand for food at our existing food pantries which has tripled in over 7 weeks.

On Friday, June 12th, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens will:

  • Distribute a total of nearly 13,200 meals;
  • Hand out 3,600 bags of food;
  • Provide individuals with dry staple goods, produce, fresh chicken, apples, tortillas, juice and a recipe;
  • Provide information on access to supportive services via our call center and behavioral health services via telehealth; a coping with stress flyer; and outreach material encouraging participants to self-respond to the 2020 Census.

According to the New York City Department of Health, as of June 10, Queens has seen 62,589 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 5,175 reported deaths. Brooklyn and Queens account for nearly 60 percent of all COVID-19 cases in the New York metropolitan area.

As New York City is now in phase one of reopening, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens will continue to serve communities severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially our neighbors in need who have lost their jobs, wages, and did not qualify for federal stimulus packages.

The Emergency Pop-Up Food Distribution is organized and funded by Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens as a direct response to our neighbors in need. To help, donate to Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens at www.ccbq.org.

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Brooklyn and Queens Catholic Youth Day 2020, A YouTube Affair

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On the eve of Pentecost Sunday, May 30, 2020, Brooklyn and Queens had its very first virtual Catholic Youth Day (BQCYD) celebration. Spearheaded by the Secretary of Evangelization & Catechesis Theodore Musco, lead event coordinator Lucia Morales and the BQCYD committee, the event as always consisted of inspirational talks, the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praise and worship and fellowship with and amongst youth from multiple parishes in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

The excitement, passion and positive energy was palpable as youth ministers welcomed the online participants and host-emcee the Symbol moved the celebration forward with keynote speaker introductions, warm shout-outs to youth as they joined the online session, personal anecdotes from his own faith journey and good beats in between. There were also peaceful moments of prayer and reflection as Father James Kuroly led the online attendees through the Adoration and Father Henry Torres spoke of how the Holy Spirit is ever-present in everyday lives and that, if one opens his/her heart to the Holy Spirit, one’s gift will be revealed. Last but most certainly not least, youth from across the diocese submitted fun videos as part of a TikTok challenge.

Overall, there were good vibes shared all around. As of June 11, 2020, the YouTube video has garnered 2,900 views. BQCYD was indeed an online success and a testament to a strong and ever-faithful youth and young adult ministry in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Mons. DiMarzio da una homilía enfocada en el racismo en nuestra cultura y en nuestra Iglesia El obispo destaca la labor de la Comisión diocesana de Racismo y Justicia Social

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PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA: 7 de junio de 2020

 

CONTACTOS DE MEDIOS:

Adriana Rodriguez

718-517-3143

arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

 

John Quaglione

718-517-3112

jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

 

Mons. DiMarzio da una homilía enfocada en el racismo en nuestra cultura y en nuestra Iglesia

El obispo destaca la labor de la Comisión diocesana de Racismo y Justicia Social

 

Monseñor Nicholas DiMarzio, obispo de Brooklyn, dedicó su homilía de este Domingo de la Trinidad en la misa en inglés de las 11 de la mañana, en la Concatedral de San José, transmitida en vivo por el canal NET-TV, al mal del racismo y a qué deben hacer la sociedad y la Iglesia para lograr el cambio.

“En nuestra situación actual, cuando vemos tantas protestas por la terrible muerte de George Floyd, reconocemos la angustia que proviene de un conocimiento más profunda de las desigualdades en nuestra propia sociedad y la carga que deben soportar las personas de color”, expresó el obispo DiMarzio.

En sus intervenciones, el obispo denunció la violencia y el saqueo de aquellos que pretenden crear anarquía en nuestra sociedad y destruir el mensaje legítimo de los manifestantes. Como Iglesia y como familia de fe, Mons. DiMarzio dice que debemos defender y ayudar a nuestros hermanos y hermanas.

“Solo cuando encontremos el amor de Dios y llevemos ese amor a los demás, las cosas cambiarán”. También citó el discurso de Martin Luther King, cuando dijo: “El tiempo está inundado con los escombros de comunidades fracturadas que se han rendido al odio y la violencia. Por la salvación de nuestra nación y la salvación de la humanidad, debemos seguir otro camino. Esto no significa que abandonemos nuestros justos esfuerzos; pero no renunciaremos, en el proceso, a nuestro privilegio y obligación de amar. Esta es la única forma de crear comunidades en el amor”.

La Diócesis de Brooklyn suscribe plenamente los conversatorios sobre el racismo que se están llevando a cabo en estos momentos. Solo dialogando de este tema complicado puede comenzar a entenderse lo que todavía le está sucediendo a las personas de color en Brooklyn y Queens, que constituyen la mitad de nuestra Diócesis.

Hace más de dos años, la Diócesis formalizó estos conversatorios. En 2017, después de las manifestaciones de supremacía blanca en Charlottesville, Virginia, el obispo DiMarzio estableció la Comisión de Racismo y Justicia Social para investigar el racismo dentro de la Iglesia. La Comisión celebró audiencias y recibió más de 500 mensajes que han ayudado a comprender estos problemas.

Como resultado de lo aprendido, la Comisión ha organizado reuniones con sacerdotes de la Diócesis para ayudarlos a entender cómo predicar sobre el racismo. También se han realizado encuentros con maestros de escuelas católicas centradas en enseñar lecciones con el fin de evitar que crezcan las semillas del racismo. “El racismo es un comportamiento aprendido. Las personas no nacen racistas. El racismo se aprende de diferentes maneras, incluso aunque no se haya enseñado expresamente. Se va incorporando por actitudes, sentimientos y palabras. Necesitamos trabajar en nuestras escuelas católicas, donde tenemos cierta influencia para asegurarnos de que nuestros jóvenes de hoy no adopten las actitudes racistas del pasado”, declaró Mons. DiMarzio.

El obispo reconoció que la Diócesis tiene que hacer más para ver de qué manera puede lidiar con los sentimientos y la realidad de que el racismo también está presente en la Iglesia. “Lo que debemos entender es que debe ocurrir un cambio social en el mal del racismo”.

 

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Video de la misa de hoy en la Concatedral de San José:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sje9zGZU0qo&feature=youtu.be

Cortesía: DeSales Media Group / NET-TV

 

10:53 – Comienza la homilía de Mons. Nicholas DiMarzio

14:11 – “En nuestra situación actual, cuando vemos tantas protestas por la terrible muerte de George Floyd, reconocemos la angustia que proviene de un conocimiento más profunda de las desigualdades en nuestra propia sociedad y la carga que deben soportar las personas de color”.

15:35 – “Lo que debemos entender es que debe ocurrir un cambio social en el mal del racismo”.

14:47 – Martin Luther King Jr, en su maravillosa interpretación de la no violencia, dijo una vez que “El tiempo está inundado con los escombros de comunidades fracturadas que se han rendido al odio y la violencia. Por la salvación de nuestra nación y la salvación de la humanidad, debemos seguir otro camino. Esto no significa que abandonemos nuestros justos esfuerzos; pero no renunciaremos, en el proceso, a nuestro privilegio y obligación de amar. Esta es la única forma de crear comunidades en el amor”.

17:06 – “El racismo es un comportamiento aprendido. Las personas no nacen racistas. El racismo se aprende de diferentes maneras, incluso aunque no se haya enseñado expresamente. Se va incorporando por actitudes, sentimientos y palabras. Necesitamos trabajar en nuestras escuelas católicas, donde tenemos cierta influencia para asegurarnos de que nuestros jóvenes de hoy no adopten las actitudes racistas del pasado”.

19:29 – “Solo cuando encontremos el amor de Dios y llevemos ese amor a los demás, las cosas cambiarán”.

 

 

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio delivers homily focused on Racism in our culture and Church The Bishop highlights the work of the Diocesan Commission on Racism and Social Justice

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio delivers homily focused on Racism in our culture and Church

The Bishop highlights the work of the Diocesan Commission on Racism and Social Justice

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, delivered his homily on this Trinity Sunday at the 11 a.m. English Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, broadcast live on NET-TV, on the evil of racism and what society and the Church must do to bring about change.

“In our situation today as we see many protesting the horrible death of George Floyd, we recognize the anguish that comes from a deeper understanding of the inequalities in our own society and the burden that people of color must bear,” said Bishop DiMarzio.

In his remarks, the Bishop decried the violence and looting by people who purposely look to create anarchy in our society and destroy the rightful message of the protestors. As a Church and a family of faith, Bishop DiMarzio says we must stand and assist our brothers and sisters.

“Only when we find the love of God and bring that love to others will things change.” He also looked to the words of Martin Luther King, who said, “this time is cluttered with the wreckage of communities that have surrendered to hatred and violence. For the salvation of our nation and the salvation of mankind, we must follow another way. This does not mean that we abandon our righteous efforts, but we shall not in the process relinquish our privilege and obligation to love. This is the only way to create beloved communities.”

The Diocese of Brooklyn fully endorses the conversations currently taking place about racism. Only by talking about this difficult topic can there begin to be an understanding of what is still happening to people of color in Brooklyn and Queens, who make up half of our Diocese.

More than two years ago, the Diocese formalized these conversations. In 2017, after the Charlottesville, Virginia white supremacist demonstrations, Bishop DiMarzio established the Commission on Racism and Social Justice to look into racism within the Church. The Commission held hearings and received over 500 messages which have helped to understand the issues.

As a result of what it learned, the Commission held meetings with priests of the Diocese to help them understand how to preach about racism. There were also meetings with Catholic school teachers focused on teaching lessons aimed at preventing the seeds of racism from growing. “Racism is a learned behavior.  People are not born as racists.  Racism is learned in different ways, even if it is not taught specifically.  It is picked up by attitudes, feelings, and words.  We need to work in our Catholic schools where we have some influence to make sure that our young people today do not pick up the racist attitudes of the past,” said Bishop DiMarzio.

The Bishop acknowledged the Diocese has to do more to see how it can deal with the feelings and the reality that racism exists in the Church. “What we must understand is that societal change on the evil of racism must happen.”

 

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Video of today’s Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sje9zGZU0qo&feature=youtu.be

Courtesy: DeSales Media Group/NET-TV

10:53 – Homily by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio begins

14:11 “In our situation today as we see many protesting the horrible death of George Floyd, we recognize the anguish that comes from a deeper understanding of the inequalities in our own society and the burden that people of color must bear”

15:35 “What we must understand is that societal change on the evil of racism must happen”

14:47 Martin Luther King Jr in his wonderful understanding of non-violence once said that “this time is cluttered with the wreckage of communities that have surrendered to hatred and violence. For the salvation of our nation and the salvation of mankind, we must follow another way. This does not mean that we abandon our righteous efforts, but we shall not in the process relinquish our privilege and obligation to love. This is the only way to create beloved communities”

17:06 “Racism is a learned behavior.  People are not born as racists.  Racism is learned in different ways, even if it is not taught specifically.  It is picked up by attitudes, feelings, and words.  We need to work in our Catholic schools where we have some influence to make sure that our young people today do not pick up the racist attitudes of the past”

19:29 “Only when we find the love of God and bring that love to others will things change”

 

Commission of Religious Leaders Statement – May 31, 2020

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His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Chair

Rev. A. R. Bernard, Sr., President

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Vice President

 

May 31, 2020

 

CORL Statement on the Death of George Floyd

 

The Book of Ecclesiastes teaches us, “There is a time to be silent and a time to speak out.”  We of different faiths cannot remain silent after we watched the shattering video of a police officer keeping his knee on the neck of George Floyd who was crying out “I can’t breathe.”  Such inhumane treatment of another human being requires a collective response from all people of conscience.  The pursuit of justice is a fundamental tenet of our respective religious traditions, and thus we stand together to declare that all life is sacred, and all people are equal before the law in a democratic society.

We respect those who want to honor George Floyd’s memory with peaceful protest against the horror, evil, and sin that is racism.  We also support the members of Floyd’s family who said, in part, “We cannot endanger each other as we respond to the necessary urge to raise our voices in unison and in outrage.  Looting and violence distract from the strength of our collective voice.”

We often speak of “thoughts and prayers.”  We will offer our many prayers of healing, but we need not only serious thoughts but also firm action as we work together with all members of our community to find that critical cure for human hatred.

 

 

 Members

Imam Talib ‘Abdur-Rashid                        Rev. Gregory Chisholm                   Rabbi Michael Miller

Bishop Victor Brown                                    Rev. Herbert Daughtry                    Bishop John O’Hara

Rabbi Angela Warnick Buchdahl               Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio                Rev. Al Sharpton

Elder David Buckner                                    Rev. Que English                              Msgr. Kevin Sullivan

Imam Dr. Tahir Kukiqi

BISHOP DIMARZIO URGES CHRISTIANS TO BE FIERCE, BUT PEACEFUL, OPPOSITION TO RACISM

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

 

BISHOP DIMARZIO URGES CHRISTIANS TO BE FIERCE, BUT PEACEFUL, OPPOSITION TO RACISM

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, has issued the following statement regarding this week’s racially divisive events in Minneapolis and New York City that have sparked tensions in those cities and throughout the Nation, calling for our response to be peaceful in the face of the evil that is racism:

 

“In Minneapolis, a black man suspected of a crime was handcuffed and brutalized by a policeman, which caused his death. The same week here in New York, a woman called police on a man falsely claiming he was threatening her with harm – his only crime was being a person of color.

 

These instances have led to protests and violence since persons of color feel they have no recourse. We Christians must be fierce in our opposition to the evil of racism, but we must respond peacefully and remember the Lord’s call to us to love one another as He loves us.”

 

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