On Wednesday, April 26 at 7:00 PM, the Diocese of Brooklyn, in partnership with survivors of sexual abuse by members of the clergy, will hold the third annual Mass of Hope and Healing. The bilingual Mass at St. Anselm Church, 356 82nd Street, Brooklyn is offered for all those affected by sexual abuse. The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will be the main celebrant.
Press Releases – Clergy Sex Abuse Crisis
‘The Healing From Abuse Continues’ by Bishop DiMarzio
April 13, 2016 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,
Last year, the diocese offered its first Mass of Hope and Healing requested by survivors of sexual abuse. There was a very positive reaction on behalf of survivors, lay faithful, and clergy. Many stated how they experienced it as a grace-filled evening. This year, the second Mass of Hope and Healing will take place on Thursday, April 21, at 7 p.m., at Our Lady Queens of Martyrs Church in Forest Hills.
Also last year, a group of survivors came together for the first time, working with our Victim Assistance Coordinator, Ms. Jasmine Salazar, who is a licensed social worker, to explore and give voice on what survivors felt is needed for healing. This also provided an opportunity for these survivors to meet each other, and share in their experience. The group has since become the Diocesan Survivors Advisory Committee, and has become a guiding voice in our outreach to those impacted by sexual abuse committed by clergy and others.
Read the full text of the Bishop’s column on The Tablet website.
‘Healing the Wounds of Sexual Abuse’ by Bishop DiMarzio
March 16, 2016 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,
This week we celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph, protector of the Child Jesus and model for the Church in the protection of children. The sexual abuse crisis in the Church was highlighted, especially, at this year’s Academy Awards with the Oscar for Best Picture going to the movie “Spotlight.” The movie chronicled the investigative journalism work of the Boston Globe’s “Spotlight” unit which identified the depth of the sexual abuse crisis in the Archdiocese of Boston and precipitated a review of all dioceses.
In 2002, the Bishops of the United States met in Dallas, Texas and signed what is now known as the Dallas Charter. This Charter has guided the Church in the last almost 15 years to redouble its efforts in creating a safe environment for children within the Church. The issue of sexual abuse by clergy and other employees of the Church is a page in our history that we must not forget, since it causes us to see the harm and pain which has been caused as well as drives us to make sure that such a situation will never happen in the future.
Read the full text of the Bishop’s column on The Tablet website.
Brooklyn Eagle Covers Mass of Hope and Healing
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle covered the Mass of Hope and Healing on Wednesday, April 15th at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James:
“ (…) Members of the survivors group shared a different perspective on justice and healing than did the protesters stationed outside the cathedral. The survivors group said that both can happen concurrently.
Moreover, Bishop DiMarzio and members of the group told the Eagle on April 15 that they have been meeting for more than a year as a support group and to organize the healing mass and that they developed the idea together. Read more
Survivors of Sexual Abuse by Members of Clergy Partner With the Diocese of Brooklyn to Sponsor Mass of Hope and Healing
Survivors of sexual abuse by members of the clergy have partnered with the Diocese of Brooklyn to sponsor a Mass of Hope and Healing for tomorrow Wednesday, April 15th at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, 250 Cathedral Place, Downtown Brooklyn.
The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will be the main celebrant and homilist.
“There has been much darkness in the past regarding this issue, but it must come out into the light,” said Bishop DiMarzio. “We must own up to past mistakes and seek to heal those who have been abused, and I must take this opportunity to publicly thank those who have come forward to help us shed light into the darkness of this most serious issue. These survivors have shown us that there is hope for healing and have helped us to identify the pastoral resources which our Diocese makes available to assist them on their journey.” Read more
‘Praying With Survivors of Sexual Abuse’ By Bishop DiMarzio
March 18, 2015 – Excerpted from “Put Out Into the Deep,” Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,
Over the course of my ten years as Bishop of Brooklyn, I have been meeting with survivors of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. Each encounter is heart wrenching for me, as their bishop, to listen to their stories and to apologize in the name of the Church, and to offer my own personal support for their journey towards healing. On April 15, our Diocese will take another step in the healing process, when a Mass of Hope and Healing is offered at 7 p.m at the Cathedral-Basilica of St. James in Downtown Brooklyn.
This type of Mass has been celebrated in other dioceses, and the survivors, themselves, have asked that we do the same. Our Diocese of Brooklyn is committed to the spiritual and emotional well-being of victims who become survivors, and what an important way to begin with this focus group of survivors who have shared with us what would be meaningful to them.
Read the full text of the Bishop’s column on The Tablet website.
Statement Regarding Msgr. Thomas Brady
The Diocese of Brooklyn was recently informed that the grand jury reviewing the complaints against Monsignor Thomas Brady has decided not to pursue a criminal indictment against him. In light of this, and following the directions of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome, Monsignor Brady has been removed from administrative leave. Taking into consideration his diminishing health, however, he remains restricted from public ministry.
Read more
Teacher Terminated Over Allegations Of Abuse
Brooklyn, N.Y., Aug. 23, 2011 – Paul Gruber, a teacher at Fontbonne Hall Academy, Bay Ridge, has been terminated after an investigation into allegations of alleged abuse proved credible. The alleged abuse took place between 1986-88, with young female members of St. Thomas Aquinas Youth Group, Park Slope.
The Church and Protecting Children
In New York State, the Catholic Church has implemented sweeping reforms to protect children – training 1.5 million children to report abuse and to avoid situations where they might be hurt or victimized; conducting criminal background checks on more than 218,000 priests, religious and lay volunteers who interact with children; providing mandatory training in sexual abuse prevention strategies to more than 217,000 adults.
Retrospective Repeal of the Statute of Limitations
NY State Assembly
Contact or find your Assembly Member – https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/
Why we oppose this legislation – the White Paper
Alternative Legislation We Can Support
Bill No. 5708
Statement Addressing the John Jay Report
John Jay The Causes and Context of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests in the United States, 1950-2010 finds sexual abuse of minors to be a human problem that all of society must always guard against. Safe environments, where appropriate boundaries between and adults and children are maintained, is seen as key to prevention.