FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 10, 2020

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STATEMENT FROM BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO

ON FEDERAL LAWSUIT COURT DECISION

 

We are disappointed by last night’s initial ruling, but this is only the beginning of the case, and we expect ultimately to prevail. We are seeking what is just. And we have kept parishioners safe and will continue to do so. Thus, there is no reason for this latest interference with our First Amendment right to celebrate Mass together, so we will continue to press the courts and our elected officials to end it as soon as possible.

We are left with no choice but, for now, to abide by the new restrictions that limit Mass attendance to 10 people in the red zones and 25 in the orange zones. But we will continue to fight to vindicate our fundamental constitutional rights, and we will continue to be a model for safety in our religious community. And by doing right and being right, we will prevail.

As the leader of the Diocese of Brooklyn, I have a sacred duty to spiritually provide for all parishioners, mothers, fathers, and our children who attend church. We filed this lawsuit in the name of the 1.5 million Catholics who worship in our Diocese, who celebrate Mass in 33 languages, and come from a diverse tapestry of ethnicities, races, and nationalities so that we could all keep our right to pray in church as one community of believers. Last night’s initial decision is a sad day for our Church community, but we will not let it deter us from our faith.

I ask all Catholics to join me in continued prayer for the end of this terrible virus.

 

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The Decision is attached.

TRO_Decision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 2020

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**** TIME-STAMPED LAWSUIT IS ATTACHED ****

 

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN FILES FEDERAL LAWSUIT AGAINST NEW YORK GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO FOR VIOLATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn today has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the State of New York, on the basis of the violation of their fundamental First Amendment right, the free exercise of religion. The Diocese has retained esteemed litigation attorney Randy M. Mastro, a partner in the New York office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, to represent them in this case.

The lawsuit is in response to the New York State executive order issued this week that arbitrarily reduces capacity at Catholic Churches throughout Brooklyn and Queens, locations of which have played an inconsequential role in the hot spot zone COVID-19 spikes. Prior to the churches reopening on July 5 for weekend Masses, after being closed for Mass for 16 weeks, the Diocese worked with former New York City Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito to develop a safe reopening plan for all churches to keep the faithful safe from the effects of the virus.

“The executive orders this week have left us with no other option than to go to court. Our churches have the capacity to accommodate many worshippers and to reset our attendance capacity to 10 people maximum in the red zone, and 25 people in the orange zone, when we have had no significant cases, impedes our right to worship and cannot stand,” said Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn. “The State has completely disregarded the fact that our safety protocols have worked and it is an insult to once again penalize all those who have made the safe return to Church work.”

“Public officials have a sacred duty to do right by those they serve, but this is simply wrong and wrong-headed,” said Randy Mastro, the attorney representing the Diocese. “If this latest executive order stands, parishioners won’t be able to go to Mass this Sunday, even though the Diocese has done everything right to ensure safe conditions in its churches. Thus, this religious community will be denied its most fundamental right — the free exercise of religion –for no legitimate reason whatsoever. That’s why we’ve gone to court — to prevent this injustice from occurring — so we’re asking the court to block this executive order from going into effect as applied to the Diocese’s churches.”

Since returning to Mass, the faithful of the Diocese of Brooklyn have fully abided by the rules, including wearing masks during Mass and sitting six feet part, with a row roped off in between and standing six feet apart on the Communion line. The pastors have installed hand sanitizers at the entrances and have ensured Churches are cleaned and sanitized after Masses. A tremendous amount of time has been devoted, as well as resources and expense, to enforce these strict requirements to help ensure the safety of all.

“We vehemently disagree with the capacity limits being placed on us. They are disrespectful to Catholics who have only been abiding by the rules. We do not agree with such limitations because they completely disregard the fact that our safety protocols have worked,” said DiMarzio.

 

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AS_FILED_Roman_Cath_Diocese_Brooklyn_v_Cuomo_Complaint_FINAL_2020.10.08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 6, 2020

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2020

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 4, 2020

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CLERGY BLESS THE ANIMALS IN HONOR OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

 

The Diocese of Brooklyn commemorated the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4) with the Blessing of the Animals outside churches throughout Brooklyn and Queens this weekend.

Saint Francis, who lived in the 12^th century, is the Catholic Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment. Animal owners brought their pets for a special blessing by members of the Diocesan clergy.

The Blessing of Pets calls asks God, the creator of all living creatures, to bless the animal with good health and to keep them safe from all harm.

Photos attached are of events at Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen in the Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn, and from Our Lady of Angels in Bay Ridge. Monsignor Guy Massie, Pastor of Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church, and Father Dragan Pusic, parochial vicar at Our Lady of Angels, presided at the respective Blessing of the Animals events.

Photos labeled Blessing Animals 1, 2, 3, and 4 are from Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen.

Photos labeled OLA and Rocky Blessed at OLA, are from Our Lady of Angels.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2020

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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS SET TO START NEW SCHOOL YEAR

The Diocese of Brooklyn and the Office of the Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services will welcome back students to the 66 Catholic Schools and Academies throughout Brooklyn and Queens tomorrow, Wednesday, September 9, 2020, to officially start the 2020-2021 academic year, with staggered arrivals through Friday, September 11, 2020.

In accordance with all Coronavirus safety guidelines, 90% of the schools will be offering full-time in-person learning, and 10% of the schools will offer a hybrid model due to capacity. The Superintendent’s office has worked with each individual school throughout the planning for a safe return to school.

Additionally, over 2,400 students have enrolled in the Diocese’s full remote learning St. Thomas Aquinas Program, created to give parents concerned about in-person learning an option to continue to give their children a Catholic education. This program begins on September 16^th.

“We look forward to welcoming our students back to school. Principals, board members, teachers, and the entire school staff at our Catholic Academies and Parish Schools have worked tirelessly this summer to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment is in place for all. Our re-opening plans are in compliance with the current mandates and guidance from government and health officials, and we will continue to update them as necessary throughout the school year,” said Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools.

The Office of the Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services has been working with the New York City Department of Education to ensure that the City fulfills its obligations to the Catholic Academies and Parish Schools throughout Brooklyn and Queens. According to New York City Education Law, the Department of Education must provide essential services such as nurses, transportation, meals, and special education and related services.

Additionally, services such as school security and crossing guards will be provided through other agencies. The NYC Pre-K for All programs, offered at our Catholic Academies and Parish Schools, will start at each site as individually scheduled.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 29, 2020

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Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio Urges Special Collection in Brooklyn and Queens Churches to Assist the People of Lebanon

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, is announcing his request for a special voluntary collection to take place starting this weekend, August 29 and 30, at parishes throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens for victims of the recent explosion in the port in Beirut, Lebanon.

“We have all seen the painful images of devastation and heard of the deaths caused by the explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected by this terrible disaster, especially the Christian community which has been struggling,” said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

The August 4^th explosion killed 180 people, injured thousands, and has displaced more than 300,000 people from their homes. The money collected will be sent by the Diocese of Brooklyn for distribution and direct assistance to the Christian community of Lebanon.

Checks to support this collection should be made payable to the Compostela Fund and mailed to: Compostela Fund c/o Diocesan Finance Office, 310 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215. Please write Lebanon in the check’s memo section.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 18, 2020

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DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN CATHOLIC ACADEMIES AND PARISH SCHOOLS PREPARE TO REOPEN WITH IN-CLASS INSTRUCTION AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS IN PLACE

 

The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing each of its 66 Catholic Academies and Parish Schools have submitted their 2020-2021 Reopening Plans to the New York State Department of Education. The majority of proposals call for the reopening of Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens with five day a week, 100% in-class instruction.

“We are pleased with the Governor’s recent announcement regarding the re-opening of schools.  This is a great first step in the right direction to helping our children safely return to the classroom,” said Thomas Chadzutko, Ed. D., Superintendent of Schools.

The plans submitted by each school/academy to New York State presented one of the following three options:

Plan A – 100% In-Person Model with the following requirements:

• Social Distancing in the classrooms and throughout the school building
• Mandatory Face Coverings while in school with mask breaks
• Hand and Respiratory Hygiene guidance and enforcement
• Signage throughout building promoting hygiene, illness, mask and distance requirement
• Daily health screening of all who enter building per NYS guidelines, including temperature checks
• Procedures in place if positive COVID case detected
• Testing and Tracing policies in place per Department of Health guidelines

Plan B – Hybrid Model with the following requirements:

• Same requirements noted above for in-school instruction
• Hybrid model could be 3/2 – three days in school and two days of remote learning from home. Hybrid models vary by school
• Remote learning with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous with instruction sessions led by teachers of the students’ Catholic Academy or Parish School

Plan C – 100% Distance Learning – Saint Thomas Aquinas Distance Learning Catholic Program

A new Diocesan-wide distance learning program created with a faculty focused exclusively on the development of an academically rigorous, Christ-centered remote learning program. This is an additional option to ensure instructional equity for those who choose 100% remote learning.

Of the plans submitted, a majority of the 66 Diocesan schools and academies aim to open for instruction under Plan A, with the flexibility to adopt Plan B or Plan C quickly if COVID-19 cases arise.

“Our Principals, teachers, Boards and administrators have been hard at work to ensure all the health and safety protocols will be met at all our Catholic Academies and Parish Schools.  We are prepared and excited for a full reopening in September.  This may be slightly different school by school given the building footprint and student population.  Some schools will need to use a hybrid model if they cannot meet the social distancing standards,” added Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools.

The health of the students, faculty and staff, remains the top priority, so enhanced cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing protocols will be in place at all school buildings.

The Re-Opening Plans for each school can be found on the individual school website. Additionally, parent meetings will take place this week, via ZOOM, to review and discuss the Re-Opening Plans.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 6, 2020

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QUEENS PRIEST RAISES $20,000 FOR FOOD PANTRY ON 100-MILE BIKE RIDE

            The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing that Father Christopher Heanue, Administrator at Holy Child Jesus Roman Catholic Church, last week completed the “100 Miles of Hope” fundraiser to support the parish food pantry. The bike ride from the church in Richmond Hill, Queens to East Hampton, Long Island, has raised over $20,000.

 

Father Heanue was joined by two parishioners on the journey, Paul Cerni and Tom Chiafolo. The day started with a special 5 a.m. Mass celebrated by Father Heanue. The total bike time for the journey was 7 hours and 45 minutes, and the entire trip was completed over the course of more than 10 hours.

 

“The prayers and generous support of all helped to motivate and make our “100 miles of Hope” a true success.  If this served as an inspiration for any, then all glory be to God. This is needed now, more than ever. With this help, we can continue the good work of our food pantry and other initiatives,” said Father Heanue.

 

Donations are still being accepted through the Go Fund Me Page at www.gofundme.com/f/100-miles-of-hope or by texting ‘miles’ to 718-550-6525.

 

Photos attached.

 

Photo #1- Tom Chiafolo, Father Chis Heanue, and Paul Cerni met in advance of the bike ride for this photo.

 

Photo #2 – Father Chris Heanue, Tom Chiafolo, and Paul Cerni, outside of Holy Child Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Queens, prior to the start of the of their “100 Miles for Hope” bike ride.

 

Photo #3-Father Chris Heanue is greeted upon his arrival at Most Holy Trinity Church in East Hampton, Long Island.

 

Photo #4 – Tom Chiafolo, Paul Cerni, and Father Chris Heanue posed for a photo upon their arrival in East Hampton.

 

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