FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 5, 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org
John Quaglione
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org
BISHOP DIMARZIO ANNOUNCES QUEENS PASTOR FALLS VICTIM TO COVID-19
The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to announce the passing of Father Gioacchino Basile, a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, who has been ministering as Pastor of Saint Gabriel Church in the East Elmhurst section of Queens. Father Basile is the second priest serving the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn to die as a result of the Coronavirus.
Father Basile was born on February 8, 1960, and ordained a priest on May 27, 1995. He first ministered as Parochial Vicar at Saint Joseph’s in New Jersey, was then released to work in the Diocese of Ponce (Puerto Rico) and then released to the Diocese of Brooklyn, where he was assigned Administrator of Saint Gabriel’s in 2008.
“Father Gioacchino Basile, a native of Calabria, Italy who died today, was small in stature, but mighty in energy for the Lord. Unfortunately, Father’s underlying health conditions made it difficult for him to fight the virus. In addition to English and Italian, Father spoke Spanish fluently and ministered well to all of the people of his parish and the faithful of the Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens,” said the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.
Upon his arrival at St. Gabriel’s, Father Basile immediately cultivated a vibrant sense of community in the parish, most notably with the institution of an annual parish celebration of the Feast of St. Gabriel, the Patron Saint of the parish, celebrated on February 25.
Father Gioacchino Basile was trained in the Neocatecumenal Movement and served as the Spiritual Director of Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Douglaston. Father Basile also assisted as a chaplain at LaGuardia Airport.
Father Basile was 60 years old and was to mark his 25th Anniversary of his ordination later this year. Funeral arrangements are private and a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later time.
A photo of Father Gioacchino Basile, courtesy of DeSales Media, is attached.
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