Press Releases

HUNDREDS EXPECTED TO ATTEND MASS FOR SOLIDARITY WITH MEXICO TO PRAY FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 27, 2017

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org
Adriana Rodriguez
516-238-7565
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

HUNDREDS EXPECTED TO ATTEND MASS FOR SOLIDARITY WITH MEXICO TO PRAY FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

WHO:  The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, and the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Mexican Ministry invite the faithful of Brooklyn, Queens and beyond.

WHAT:  Mass for Solidarity with Mexico to pray for the victims of the Earthquakes. Bishop DiMarzio will celebrate the Mass and Rev. Jorge Ortiz-Garay, Director of the Mexican Ministry, and Administrator at St. Brigid Parish, will preach the homily. Rev. Ortiz-Garay has been in Mexico City this last week and has witnessed the devastation first hand.

WHEN:  Friday, September 29, 2017, 7:00 pm

WHERE:  Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, 856 Pacific Street, Brooklyn, NY 11238

WHY:  Join us in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Mexico, who have endured two major earthquakes this month. More than 300 people died in last week’s earthquake, including many children. There is so much sorrow amid the rubble as crews continue to look for the missing. There is also a great concern here in our Diocese, which is home to many Mexican Americans worried about their relatives back home.

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Thousands of Catholics to Converge on Citi Field for First Annual Catholic Day

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org

Adriana Rodriguez
718-408-6367
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

The Diocese of Brooklyn will host the first annual Catholic Day at Citi Field on Saturday, September 9, 2017. The day will begin with a 9:45 a.m. Mass, celebrated by the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn. The Mass will be followed by food, games, entertainment, and baseball as the New York Mets take on the Cincinnati Reds.

The event is part of the Diocese’s Year of Vocations Campaign, an effort to encourage young people to think about, pray for, and discern their life’s calling.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

Saturday, September 9, 2017
8:00 a.m. – parking lots open
8:45 a.m. – gates open
9:45 a.m. – Mass with Bishop DiMarzio
11:30 a.m. – Marina Parking Lot entertainment featuring food, performances, carnival games, basketball, and more
4:00 p.m. – Mets Plaza entertainment
7:10 p.m. – New York Mets vs Cincinnati Reds

LOCATION:

Citi Field, 123-01 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY 11368

CELEBRITY GUEST SPEAKERS, PERFORMERS AND VIP’s

  • Rhett Walker, contemporary Christian rock performer, nominated for several Grammy Awards
  • Quinton Aaron, actor, best known for portraying Michael Oher alongside Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”, founder of The Quinton Aaron Foundation, which offers resources and education in the fight against bullying
  • Anthony Mangano, actor, host of Net TV’s “City of Churches“, starred on many television shows including “Person of Interest”, “Blue Bloods”, “NYPD Blue”, “CSI”, “The Blacklist”, “Who’s the Boss”, “Seinfeld”, and “Law & Order”
  • Joe Estevez, actor in over 200 films, host of Net TV’s “All things Catholic“, brother of actor Martin Sheen
  • Jenn Gotzon Chandler, actress, starred in “Frost/Nixon” as well as many family films. Also appeared on “CSI:NY” and “House”
  • Stephanie Hanvey, singer, appeared on “American Idol” Season 13
  • Alverlis Pena, singer-songwriter, Catholic worship leader
  • Santiago Pérez de Camino Gaisse, head of the Vatican’s Church & Sport Office at the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family & Life

For the schedule of events at Catholic Day at Citi Field, click on this link: catholicdaynyc.oncell.com

As part of Catholic Day, the Diocese will ask baseball fans to contribute to “Catholics Care,” a volunteer effort, and text-to-donate campaign for Hurricane victims across the country. Fans can text “Catholics Care” to 917-722-4565.

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN’S YEAR OF VOCATIONS:

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s Year of Vocations campaign is targeted toward young people of faith who are looking to understand God’s unique purpose for their lives. The initiative educates young Catholics about single and married life in the Church, as well as about becoming a deacon, nun, or priest.

In an effort to encourage more young men to consider becoming priests, the Diocese has created a video showing an unexpected side to the lives of the clergy. The video shows priests surfing, skateboarding and doing martial arts. The friars seen playing basketball in the video will be playing on site at Catholic Day at Citi Field.

The Year of Vocations campaign aims to show young people that serving God does not mean losing the unique qualities that make us who we are. Father Peter Purpura, rector of Saint James Cathedral Basilica, who is featured doing martial arts in the video, said, “Young men should realize that when you become a priest, you bring with you all of your passions, interests, and hobbies. All of these things are what make each priest unique, and in many cases, uniquely effective. Generally, I think that people focus too much on the negative aspects of the priesthood; what we give up or what we don’t have. The truth is that priests receive far more than we give, which is the reason for our priestly joy.” Fr. Purpura will be available for interviews.

For the video of Fr. Purpura: https://bit.ly/2grmGLu
For the Year of Vocations campaign video: https://bit.ly/2xNHAI0

CATHOLIC NUN TO CATCH FIRST PITCH

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2017

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org
Adriana Rodriguez
516-238-7565
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

CATHOLIC NUN TO CATCH FIRST PITCH AT METS GAME
FOR “CATHOLIC DAY” AT CITI FIELD 

Sister Maria Bello, a Queens nun, will be dressed in her habit as she catches the ceremonial first pitch before Saturday’s Mets vs Reds game at Citi Field. Sister Maria will be joined by thousands of Catholics at the ballpark in celebration of the Diocese of Brooklyn’s first annual Catholic Day.  The event, Saturday, September 9, will begin with a 9:45 a.m. Mass, celebrated on the field by the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn. A full day of entertainment will follow, culminating with the New York Mets taking on the Cincinnati Reds.

“I’m a little nervous. I’ve never played baseball, but I’ve been called to serve for Catholic Day. I never thought part of my mission would involve the New York Mets, but here I am,” said Sister Maria, a native of Colombia who is doing missionary work at St. Bartholomew Church in Elmhurst, Queens.

LOCATION: Citi Field, 123-01 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY 11368

EVENT SCHEDULE:                                                                                                  
9:45 a.m. – Mass with Bishop DiMarzio 
11:30 a.m. – Marina Parking Lot entertainment featuring food, performances, carnival games, basketball
4:00 p.m. – Mets Plaza entertainment
7:00 p.m. – Sister Maria catches first pitch
7:10 p.m.– Mets vs Reds 

As part of Catholic Day, the Diocese will ask baseball fans to contribute to “Catholics Care,” a volunteer effort and text-to-donate campaign for Hurricane victims across the country. Fans can text “Catholics Care” to 917-722-4565.  People interested in volunteering can learn more on Saturday by going to dioceseofbrooklyn.org/care.

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Brooklyn Bishop to Announce New Commission on Social Justice at Special Mass in the Wake of Charlottesville Violence

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org

Adriana Rodriguez
718-408-6367
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will announce the establishment of a new diocesan commission for social justice during a special Mass Thursday, August 24 at 7:30 PM. The Mass for Solidarity and Peace is in response to the violent and deadly protests in Charlottesville. The Mass will be held at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, 250 Cathedral Pl, Brooklyn. Bishop DiMarzio will be the main celebrant and Reverend Alonzo Cox, Vicariate of Black Catholic Concerns, Coordinator of Ministry for African American Catholics, and the Pastor of St. Martin De Porres Parish, will concelebrate.

The new diocesan commission will address racism in the Church and society at large. It will be named after Monsignor Bernard Quinn, a Diocese of Brooklyn priest targeted by the Klu Klux Klan. The Klan burned down an orphanage Monsignor Quinn built for African American children, not once, but twice in the same year. Monsignor Quinn received numerous death threats. But he did not back down. He stood up to racism and rebuilt. He was valiant, pledging to his parishioners, ‘I would willingly shed to the last drop my life’s blood for the least among you.’ Monsignor Quinn also established the first African American church in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

“Monsignor Quinn is our own diocesan hero,” said Bishop DiMarzio. “In his name, we will address the social and religious problems that racism presents.”

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has also just announced plans to establish the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism. According to Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, President of the USCCB, the committee “will be wholly dedicated to engaging the Church and our society to work together in unity to challenge the sin of racism, to listen to persons who are suffering under this sin, and to come together in the love of Christ to know one another as brothers and sisters.”

Thursday’s Mass for Solidarity and Peace will remind the faithful of Brooklyn, Queens, and beyond, that we are all created as children of God. Together we will pray for those injured and killed in Charlottesville, for the healing of our nation, and for all those who have allowed the seeds of hatred to grow in their hearts.

Diocese of Brooklyn to Hold Mass for Solidarity and Peace Following the Violence in Charlottesville, Virginia

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Mass for Solidarity and Peace

WHO: The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, and the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Ministry for African American Catholics invite the faithful of Brooklyn, Queens and beyond.

WHAT: In response to the recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, Bishop DiMarzio will celebrate the Mass for Solidarity and Peace. Reverend Alonzo Cox, Vicariate of Black Catholic Concerns, Coordinator of Ministry for African American Catholics, and the Pastor of St. Martin De Porres Parish, will concelebrate.

WHEN: Thursday, August 24, 2017, 7:30 pm

WHERE: Cathedral Basilica of St. James, 250 Cathedral Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11201

WHY: The tragic events that unfolded in Charlottesville, Virginia, revealed a nation still tainted by the evils of racism, bigotry, white supremacy and neo-Nazism. “As Catholics, our greatest weapon against hatred, violence, and anger is prayer,” said Reverend Cox. The Mass will bring together the faithful of Brooklyn, Queens, and beyond, to pray for our nation, the three people who lost their lives, the many more injured, as well as all those who have allowed the seeds of hatred to grow in their hearts.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org

Adriana Rodriguez
718-408-6367
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

SURVEILLANCE VIDEO CAPTURES MAN THREATENING TO KILL NUN INSIDE BROOKLYN CHURCH

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Surveillance video: https://vimeo.com/224391895

Police are investigating a possible hate crime tonight after a man walked inside a Prospect lights Church and threatened a nun.p

The nun, Mother Superior of her community, was praying in a pew at about 2:00 p.m. inside the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, located at 856 Pacific Street in Brooklyn, when the man approached her.

He said, “I don’t believe in this because you don’t help the poor.” When the nun did not respond, he said, “What did I say?”

The nun began to look toward a woman in another pew when the man said, “She can’t help you. I’m going to kill you.” The nun ran and called for help.

The crime was caught on surveillance video. The man is described as African-American, bald, about 6’ tall with a medium build. He was wearing khaki shorts, white sneakers, carrying a white baseball-style cap in his hand and a shirt in his back pocket.

The nun was praying in the church while another sister from the parish is leading a service mission to assist the poor in West Virginia.

The victim is available for media interviews by contacting Carolyn Erstad at 323-384-7098.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.

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DE LA MANO DE LAS VÍCTIMAS DE ABUSO SEXUAL

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Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo:

Como Obispo de Brooklyn, les anuncio un nuevo e importante paso en el esfuerzo continuo de nuestra Diócesis para promover la sanación de menores víctimas de abuso sexual por parte de miembros del clero. Esta nueva iniciativa será el Programa Independiente de Reconciliación y Compensación (IRCP, por sus siglas en inglés) y es algo más que hace nuestra Diócesis —que sirve a las comunidades de Brooklyn y Queens— para reconocer el daño causado por sacerdotes o diáconos, y mostrar nuestra solidaridad con los sobrevivientes.

El IRCP toma como modelo el programa establecido en octubre pasado por la Arquidiócesis de Nueva York. Las decisiones de compensación serán tomadas por Kenneth R. Feinberg, quien administró numerosos programas de indemnización de alto perfil, incluyendo el Fondo de Compensación de Víctimas del 11 de Septiembre y el fondo de compensación para víctimas del derrame de petróleo de BP en el Golfo de México; sirvió como mediador para casos de abuso sexual en Penn State University, y administró muchos otros programas corporativos y caritativos independientes de indemnización. El Sr. Feinberg tendrá independencia total para determinar la compensación para los sobrevivientes.

Durante mis años como obispo diocesano, primero en Camden, y luego en Brooklyn y Queens, me he reunido con más de 50 víctimas. Es duro oírlos hablar del dolor causado por el comportamiento criminal de miembros del clero. Sé bien que ninguna cantidad de dinero borrará jamás las cicatrices del abuso, pero este programa de compensación es una expresión concreta de nuestra contrición y nuestro deseo de reparar el daño causado. Esperamos que ayude con el proceso de sanación y contribuya a poner fin a la traumática experiencia.

La Oficina de la Diócesis de Brooklyn de Ayuda a Víctimas de Abuso Sexual continuará todos los esfuerzos que ha venido haciendo para apoyar a las víctimas, entre ellos el pago de terapias provistas por profesionales independientes que no estén afiliados a la Iglesia, seguirá ofreciendo varios grupos de apoyo y grupos de oración mensual, y continuará celebrando cada año la Misa de la Esperanza.

Hace cuatro años, las víctimas de abuso sexual por parte de miembros del clero en nuestra diócesis formaron un Comité Asesor de Sobrevivientes de la Diócesis de Brooklyn. Este programa, al igual que todos nuestros esfuerzos de divulgación, ha sido consultado con este grupo de sobrevivientes. Continuaré escuchando y teniendo en cuenta los criterios de estas personas para desarrollar nuevas maneras de responder a sus necesidades como víctimas.

Quiero también asegurarles a todos los feligreses y donantes de nuestra Diócesis de Brooklyn, que ni un centavo de sus contribuciones será destinado para cubrir los costos de compensación a las víctimas de abuso. La Diócesis pedirá un préstamo para cubrir el costo y lo pagará con los ingresos generados por los alquileres. La diócesis no usará dinero que donen los fieles para apoyar a sus parroquias, escuelas, obras benéficas, ministerios y apostolados o a la campaña de recaudación de fondos Generations of Faith. La carga financiera será asumida adecuadamente por la administración diocesana central.

De acuerdo con nuestras normas diocesanas, todas y cada una de las reclamaciones de conducta sexual inapropiada contra un menor han sido reportadas al fiscal del distrito. Cualquier nueva denuncia que salga a la luz a través de este programa también será reportada al fiscal del distrito y a cualquier otra autoridad correspondiente.

En consonancia con las fuerzas del orden, la diócesis entiende la importancia de proteger la identidad de las víctimas de abuso sexual. Con ese fin, la diócesis y el programa IRCP respetarán la privacidad de los participantes. Sin embargo, queremos dejar claro que bajo los protocolos de la Carta de Dallas, aprobada por los Obispos de los Estados Unidos en 2002, los participantes mismos no estarán sujetos a ningún acuerdo de confidencialidad y podrán hablar sobre cualquier aspecto de su caso y la compensación que pudieran recibir con quien deseen hacerlo.

Nunca dejaremos de trabajar por la rehabilitación, la compensación y la reconciliación. Aquí en la Diócesis de Brooklyn, reafirmamos nuestro compromiso con la protección de los menores, al tiempo que vamos de la mano con los sobrevivientes camino a su sanación integral.

DIÓCESIS DE BROOKLYN ANUNCIA FONDO INDEPENDIENTE DE RECONCILIACIÓN Y COMPENSACIÓN PARA SOBREVIVIENTES DE ABUSO SEXUAL POR PARTE DEL CLERO

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22 de junio, 2017 – La Diócesis de Brooklyn realizó un anuncio importante relacionado a sus continuos esfuerzos por responder a los casos de abuso sexual de menores por parte de integrantes del clero. La diócesis establecerá el Programa Independiente de Reconciliación y Compensación (IRCP por sus siglas en inglés), que permitirá a todos los sobrevivientes de abuso sexual por parte de sacerdotes o diáconos de la diócesis reclamar compensación monetaria. Monseñor Nicholas DiMarzio, obispo de Brooklyn, ha decidido implementar este programa voluntario en Brooklyn y Queens, para promover la sanación de las víctimas y ayudar a poner fin a la traumática experiencia.

“Entiendo bien que ninguna cantidad de dinero borrará jamás las cicatrices del abuso, pero este programa de compensación es una expresión concreta de nuestra contrición y nuestro deseo de reparar el daño causado”, dijo monseñor DiMarzio en el vídeo en que anunció la creación del programa IRCP. (Para leer el mensaje del monseñor DiMarzio, haz click aquí.)

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Independent Reconciliation And Compensation Program

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For Spanish click here

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN ANNOUNCES INDEPENDENT RECONCILIATION AND COMPENSATION PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS OF CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE

The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing a significant step in its ongoing response to the sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy. The Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP) will allow survivors of sexual abuse by priests or deacons of the Diocese to seek financial compensation. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio is implementing the voluntary program in Brooklyn and Queens to promote healing and to bring some element of closure.

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STATEMENT FROM BISHOP DIMARZIO ON THE IRCP

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I am announcing a significant new step in the ongoing effort of the Diocese of Brooklyn to address the wounds of those sexually abused by members of the clergy. It is called the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP). It is one more way our diocese, which serves Brooklyn and Queens, can acknowledge the harm that was done by those who were priests or deacons and show our solidarity with survivors.  Our Program is modeled after the program recently launched by the Archdiocese of New York. Compensation decisions will be made by Kenneth R. Feinberg who administered numerous high-profile compensation programs, including the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, the compensation fund for the victims of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, served as a mediator for sexual abuse cases for Penn State University and administered many other corporate and charitable independent compensation programs. Mr. Feinberg will have total independence in his decisions.

Throughout my time as a diocesan bishop, first in Camden and then in Brooklyn and Queens, I have met with more than 50 survivors.  It is difficult to hear about the pain caused by the criminal behavior of members of the clergy.  I am well aware that no amount of money will ever heal the scars of abuse, but this program is a concrete expression of our contrition and our desire to make amends. We hope it will help with the healing process and bring survivors some element of healing.

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