In his homily to the priests and people of the Diocese of Brooklyn, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, called upon the priests and people of the Diocese of Brooklyn to stand up with him and “besiege The New York Times. Send a message loud and clear that the Pope, our Church, and bishops and our priests will no longer be the personal punching bag of The New York Times.”

Bishop DiMarzio’s spirited defense of the Holy Father was based on the decision of The New York Times editors to, “Omit significant facts,” and ignore the reality that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which Cardinal Ratzinger headed up, did not have competency over Canonical Trials in 1996. Moreover, Bishop DiMarzio continued “…the priest in question, Father Murphy was in the midst of a Canonical Trial. He died before a verdict was rendered.”

Reflecting on the timing of the stories, DiMarzio stated “Two weeks of articles about a story from many decades ago, in the midst of the Most Holy Season of the Church year is both callous and smacks of calumny!” He continued “This evening, I am asking you to join me making your displeasure known to the editors by letters or emails.”

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Bishop DiMarzio reminded the priests, “Sanctity is what we are asked to aspire to; to become perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect, as Jesus invited us.” He encouraged them to take as their model John Vianney, the 19th Century French Saint who was proclaimed the patron of all priests by Pope Benedict XVI.

The Chrism Mass is a celebration of the institution of the priesthood of Jesus Christ. During the ceremony approximately 400 priests will renew their priestly promises of fidelity to a simple life, celibacy, and obedience. Unique at this Mass, is the blessing of the sacred oils for use in the administration of the Sacraments throughout the Diocese.