Press Releases

Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio to Officially Rededicate Historic Williamsburg Catholic Church

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 22, 2019

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Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio to Officially Rededicate Historic Williamsburg Catholic Church

 

            The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will officially rededicate and consecrate the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in Williamsburg, located at 259 N. 5th Street, Brooklyn, this Sunday, March 24, 2019, at the 11 am Mass.

 

Highlights of the restoration include the altar, the baptismal font, the ambo, the ceiling and lighting, the murals and the 100-year-old pipe organ brought to the Church in 1930. These renovations have taken place over the last year. The church, opened in 1870, will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year.

 

The Mass will also officially mark the merger of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Our Lady of Mount Carmel parishes. Monsignor Jamie J. Gigantiello is the Pastor.

 

Members of the media are welcome to attend.

 

Diocese of Brooklyn’s First Hispanic Auxiliary Bishop René A. Valero Laid To Rest

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2019

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Adriana Rodriguez
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Diocese of Brooklyn’s First Hispanic Auxiliary Bishop René A. Valero Laid To Rest

          The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, presided over the funeral Mass for the Most Reverend René A. Valero. The 88-year old was the first Hispanic to serve as an Auxiliary Bishop within the Diocese of Brooklyn, a position he held for more than 25 years. The funeral this morning was held at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston, where Bishop Valero was laid to rest in the Bishops Crypt.

 

“He helped many people, but especially those most in need, like immigrants and senior citizens. He was a social worker and did that in order to help more people. His Episcopal ministry was one of service to people. He died after a very difficult, long illness that he never complained about; he took it in stride and always had a smile on his face,” said Bishop DiMarzio.

 

“He did his ministry with great love, with great compassion, humility, and simplicity. He gave himself to those who needed him. He was Venezuelan, that was his origins, but he did not just minister to Hispanics. He ministered to all in the Diocese. Hispanics in the Diocese will feel the loss because he touched so many lives and families with his smile, his love, and his care. So we say goodbye to a good friend, we say goodbye to a good priest of God, an example to all of us,” said Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros.

B-roll of this morning’s funeral for Retired Auxiliary Bishop René A. Valero in Douglaston can be found on this link:

https://vimeo.com/user70568130/review/325493647/83b31c5b02

BROOKLYN DIOCESE JOINS “40 DAYS FOR LIFE” PRAYER CAMPAIGN FOLLOWING NEW YORK STATE PASSAGE OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ACT

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 19, 2019

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BROOKLYN DIOCESE JOINS “40 DAYS FOR LIFE” PRAYER CAMPAIGN FOLLOWING NEW YORK STATE PASSAGE OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ACT

 

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, is announcing the support of the Diocese of Brooklyn, and churches throughout Brooklyn and Queens, for the 40 Days For Life campaign this Lenten season.  New York State’s passage of the horrific Reproductive Health Act earlier this year has inspired the Diocese of Brooklyn to join in this global pro-life mobilization.

 

The 40 Days For Life campaign has proven to be effective in increasing awareness of God’s gift of life through prayer, fasting, peaceful vigil and community outreach.

 

“In response to the recent malicious Reproductive Health Act adopted in New York State, I have received dozens of letters and messages from Catholics, throughout Brooklyn and Queens, who are profoundly shocked by this extremist pro-abortion law. As such, I thought it critical that during this season of Lent, our faithful have a greater opportunity to be part of something that places great emphasis on the value of life,” said The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

“Therefore, I have pledged the Diocese’s support for the worldwide 40 Days For Life campaign, and am encouraging a period of prayer, fasting, peaceful vigil and education to take place in the name of the unborn,” continued Bishop DiMarzio.
The Diocese of Brooklyn is encouraging parishes to offer opportunities to pray for an end to abortion during this Lenten season. A number of pro-life church events have already been scheduled, and more are in the planning stages, including an overnight prayer vigil at St. Leo’s Church in Corona, Queens on April 5-April 6 and a pro-life Mass and witness at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Jamaica, Queens on March 30 at 7 a.m.

 

“This year, after the passage of such an anti-life law in New York, it is important that the Diocese of Brooklyn will be participating in this pro-life campaign. Recognizing that with God, all things are possibleour efforts in Brooklyn and Queens will be part of one of the largest internationally coordinated pro-life mobilizations in history,” said Christian Rada, Director of Marriage, Family Formation, and Respect Life Education for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

 

The Diocese of Brooklyn has published the resource materials relating to the 40 Days For Lifeprogram on their website at dioceseofbrooklyn.org/marriage/marriage-and-family including pro-life rosary prayer intentions, blessings for expecting parents, and a litany of petitions to support life. For a full listing of events happening this Lenten season, visit the Meet Me In Church section of the Diocesan website homepage. 

Diocese of Brooklyn Announces Funeral Arrangements for Retired Auxiliary Bishop René A. Valero

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2019

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Adriana Rodriguez
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Diocese of Brooklyn Announces Funeral Arrangements for Retired Auxiliary Bishop René A. Valero

            The Diocese of Brooklyn has announced the funeral arrangements for Retired Auxiliary Bishop, the Most Reverend René A. Valero, who died on Sunday, March 10. 2019. Bishop Valero served for 25 years as an Auxiliary Bishop and was the first Hispanic to serve in such a role for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

 

The wake will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, March 19, 2019, from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church located at 34-43 93rd Street in Jackson Heights. A Vigil Mass will also take place at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church tomorrow evening at 7:30 PM. Bishop Valero previously served as Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish.

 

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will preside at the funeral Mass on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at 10:30 AM at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston at 7200 Douglaston Parkway.

Bishop Valero will be buried in the Bishops Crypt at the Immaculate Conception Center.

STATEMENT BY BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO ON NEW ZEALAND ATTACKS

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STATEMENT BY BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO ON NEW ZEALAND ATTACKS

“I strongly denounce the horrific attacks at the two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, which were aimed at immigrants and people of faith. On behalf of all Catholics within the Diocese of Brooklyn, I offer my prayers for those who have perished and who have been injured in these mass shootings.  This is an unsettling reminder that the right to religious freedom is under attack throughout the world in nations that allow their citizens to worship the God they believe in,” said The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN RESPONDS TO SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE SKIT ATTACKING CATHOLIC CHURCH  

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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John Quaglione 
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DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN RESPONDS TO SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
SKIT ATTACKING CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Diocese of Brooklyn is demanding an immediate public apology from “Saturday Night Live” and NBC after Saturday night’s disgraceful and offensive skit in which cast member Pete Davidson, during the Weekend Update segment, said: “If you support the Catholic Church, isn’t that the same thing as being an R. Kelly fan?” The statement clearly shocked the studio audience as gasps could be heard off camera.

 

Apparently, the only acceptable bias these days is against the Catholic Church. The faithful of our Church are disgusted by the harassment by those in news and entertainment, and this sketch offends millions. The mockery of this difficult time in the Church’s history serves no purpose.

 

The clergy sex abuse crisis is shameful, and no one should ever get a laugh at the expense of the victims who have suffered irreparably. The Diocese of Brooklyn strives every day to ensure that sexual abuse by clergy never happens again.

 

For nearly two decades, the Diocese of Brooklyn has taken this crisis seriously and instituted widespread changes mandated by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

 

Those changes include a zero-tolerance policy in which any clergy member credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor is permanently removed from ministry. Since 2002, the Diocese of Brooklyn has shared all of its files and allegations against clergy with the District Attorneys of Brooklyn and Queens. In 2004, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio instituted a reporting line that sends reports directly to law enforcement authorities.

 

The charter also mandates sexual abuse awareness training for all clergy members, teachers, parish/academy/school employees, catechists and volunteers who work directly with children. Employees and volunteers also must agree to initial and ongoing criminal background checks and must sign a code of conduct.

 

To help victims, the Office of Victim Assistance provides referrals for therapy, support groups for survivors and an annual Healing Mass to pray for all who have been impacted by sexual abuse.  The diocese also started the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program as another possible mechanism for healing that may help bring closure to victim-survivors of clergy sexual abuse.

 

It is likely that no other institution has done more than the Catholic Church to combat and prevent sexual abuse. The insensitivity of the writers, producers, and the cast of SNL around this painful subject is alarming.

 

Diocese of Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio Celebrating Ash Wednesday Mass at Noon

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 6, 2019

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BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO ASH WEDNESDAY PUBLIC SCHEDULE

 

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will be celebrating Ash Wednesday Mass and distributing ashes at 12 Noon, today, Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at St. James Cathedral Basilica located at 250 Cathedral Place, in Downtown Brooklyn.

Members of the media are invited to attend.

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BROOKLYN AND QUEENS CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COMPETE IN DIOCESAN MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH BEE THIS AFTERNOON

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 5, 2019

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BROOKLYN AND QUEENS CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COMPETE IN
DIOCESAN MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH BEE THIS AFTERNOON

The Diocese of Brooklyn Press Office is announcing a Brooklyn and Queens Catholic School Math Bee taking place this afternoon, Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at 4 PM, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy, located at 179-14 Dalny Road in the Jamaica Estates section of Queens.

The Math Bee will feature the participation of students from Grades 6, 7 and 8, representing 55 Diocesan academies and schools. All schools competing this afternoon had an internal school math bee from which a winner was selected to compete at the Diocesan level.

The Diocese of Brooklyn will also host an Elementary Grade Math Bee in April, featuring 3rd, 4th and 5th-grade students from 54 schools. Details to be announced. Cathy Kenny of St. Frances De Sales Catholic Academy is the Diocesan Math Bee Coordinator.

Members of the media are invited to attend. To RSVP, please send an email to jquaglione@desalesmedia.org.

CATHOLIC ACADEMIES AND PARISH SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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John Quaglione
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CATHOLIC ACADEMIES AND PARISH SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN
WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW

Following the decision by the New York City public schools to close on Monday, March 4, 2019, due to the impending snow storm, all academies and parish schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn will also close tomorrow.

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SURVEILLANCE VIDEO RELEASED OF STATUE BEING STOLEN FROM BROOKLYN CHURCH; NYPD HATE CRIMES TASK FORCE INVESTIGATING

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 25, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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John Quaglione 
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SURVEILLANCE VIDEO RELEASED OF STATUE BEING STOLEN FROM BROOKLYN CHURCH;
NYPD HATE CRIMES TASK FORCE INVESTIGATING

The Diocese of Brooklyn is responding to an act of vandalism which took place last week at St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church, located at 249 9th Street in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn.

At approximately 12 p.m. noon on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt entered the Church, removed the statue of Our Lady of Cisne and threw it in the trash across the street, causing damage to the statue. A member of the Parish staff later noticed and retrieved the statue, at which time the New York City Police Department was notified.

Our Lady of Cisne is the patroness of the Loja province of Ecuador. This is the second such incident this month at St. Thomas Aquinas and the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is leading the investigation.

“The Diocese of Brooklyn strongly condemns this incident of religious hatred and is fully cooperating with the New York City Police Department’s investigation. This act of vandalism at St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church in Park Slope has not deterred, but only strengthened, the resolve and faith of the parishioners,” said Father Willy Kingsley Ndi, Parish Administrator.

The NYPD has released this surveillance video of the vandal removing the statue:
https://vimeo.com/319488016

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact NYPD’s Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).