News Releases 2005 Archive

BROOKLYN PRIEST TO DIRECT NATIONAL SHRINE PILGRIMAGES
(December 20, 2005)
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has announced that Father Joseph T. Holcomb, the pastor of St. Finbar's Church, Bath Beach, will begin duties in January as Director of Pilgrimages at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

(read complete story)

APPEAL FUNDS HELPING PARISH PROJECTS
(December 14, 2005)
The financial pressures faced by 159 parishes in Brooklyn and Queens were eased when each received checks representing funds they raised over their respective goals for the Diocese of Brooklyn's Annual Catholic Appeal.

(read complete)

BROOKLYN PRIEST TO HEAD USCCB ECUMENICAL OFFICE
(December 6, 2005)
Father James Massa, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn and professor of theology at the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, has been named executive director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in Washington.

(read complete story)

STATEMENT BY BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO
DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN
ON VATICAN INSTRUCTION
NOV. 29, 2005

I welcome the release of the Instruction from the Congregation for Catholic Education on the admission of men with deeply-rooted homosexual tendencies to seminaries and to Holy Orders

(read complete story)

STATEMENT BY MSGR. MICHAEL J. HARDIMAN VICAR FOR EDUCATION
DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN
NOV. 28, 2005

Public interest generated by the decision of a parochial school in Queens to terminate the employment of an unmarried, pregnant faculty member has prompted some reflections on this serious matter.

(read complete story)

TOLL-FREE NUMBER ACCEPTS ABUSE REPORTS
(November 21, 2005)
The Diocese of Brooklyn maintains a 24-hour toll-free telephone number for persons to call if they wish to report that as children they were sexually abused by a member of the clergy or an employee of the diocese, parishes and institutions.

(read complete story)

BISHOP REAPPOINTED TO MIGRANT COUNCIL
(November 15, 2005)
Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of the Diocese of Brooklyn to serve a second five-year term on the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.

(read complete story)

ENROLLMENT DECLINE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
(November 9, 2005)
Catholic elementary schools in Brooklyn and Queens have recorded a decline in enrollment and Catholic high schools in the two boroughs report an enrollment increase, according to statistics for 2005-2006 released Tuesday (Nov. 8).

(read complete story)

BISHOP LEADS REVIEW AT 'FINANCIAL SUMMIT'
(November 8, 2005)
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio led 450 parish representatives in an examination of the fiscal health of the Diocese of Brooklyn and its parishes at a Nov. 3 meeting, termed a "financial summit," at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston.

(read complete story)

STATEMENT BY BISHOP NICHOLAS DiMARZIO ON RETIREMENT OF BISHOP RENE VALERO
(November 1, 2005)

Bishop Rene Valero was the first Hispanic Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

During his 25 years of service as a bishop, we have seen tremendous growth in the Hispanic population in Brooklyn and Queens. Bishop Valero has been an outstanding asset to the Diocese, providing leadership not only for the Hispanic population, but also for the many other areas of his competency. He has been a champion of care for all minorities in the Diocese.

As a social worker, Bishop Valero has brought attention to the care of the elderly, most especially our retired priests, and the many other groups in Brooklyn and Queens.

Bishop Valero will remain in residence in the Diocese of Brooklyn and will offer his assistance in many ways. His continued presence will be greatly appreciated.

POPE ACCEPTS RETIREMENT FOR BISHOP VALERO
(November 2, 2005)
Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the retirement of Auxiliary Bishop Rene A. Valero of Brooklyn, it was announced in Washington by Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
(read complete story)

BISHOP ADDRESSES ARREST OF PRIEST
(October 25, 2005)
In a letter to the parishioners of St. Ephrem's Church, Dyker Heights, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of the Diocese of Brooklyn said he had withdrawn the faculties of a resident priest from Ghana arrested Oct. 18 for "inappropriate behavior with a young lady" in the parish.

(read complete story)

BISHOP APPOINTS DIRECTORS OF SPIRITUALITY, PLANNING OFFICES
(October 25, 2005)
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio announced on Tuesday (Oct. 25) that Msgr. Neil Mahoney, the Vicar for Pastoral Planning, will leave the Pastoral Planning Office he has headed since it was established in July, 2004 to become the director of the SS. Peter and Paul Spirituality Center.

(read complete story)

KATRINA CONTRIBUTIONS PASS $1.1 MILLION
(October 18, 2005)
More than $1.1. million has been collected in the parishes of the Diocese of Brooklyn to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, in response to an appeal made by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

(read complete story)

A TRADITION BLESSES EXPECTANT MOTHERS
(October 11, 2005)
A tradition begun almost 250 years ago in southern Italy will be continued in Brooklyn when Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio presents mothers-to-be with a handkerchief touched to a relic of St. Gerard Majella, the patron saint of childbirth, on his feast day, Sunday, Oct. 16.

(read complete story)

300 TO HEAR TALKS ON PRIESTLY HOLINESS
(October 7, 2005)
Reflections on how a priest can enrich his response to the "universal call" for holiness in his life will highlight a convocation for some 300 priests of the Diocese of Brooklyn to be held next week at a conference center in Thornwood, N.Y.

(read complete story)

REQUESTS FOR KEYSPAN TICKETS 'OVERWHELMNG'
(October 5, 2005)
Calling the number of requests for tickets "overwhelming," Msgr. Francis J. Caggiano said Monday he would try "to the best of our ability" to accommodate parishioners who have registered to take part in the Diocese of Brooklyn's closing celebration of the Special Year of the Eucharist at Keyspan Park in Coney Island.

(read complete story)

MUSIC WILL FILL THE AIR AT KEYSPAN CELEBRATION
(September 28, 2005)
From modern, upbeat instrumental sounds to inspiring liturgical anthems, music will weave through the program for the Diocese of Brooklyn's celebration of the closing of the Special Year of the Eucharist at Keyspan Park in Coney Island on Saturday, Oct. 15.

(read complete story)

IMMIGRATION REFORM FOCUS OF DIOCESE
(September 27, 2005)
The Catholic Migration Office of the Diocese of Brooklyn has joined a national campaign for comprehensive immigration reform and will launch an educational program at meetings to be held at St. Patrick's Auditorium, 95th St. and Fourth Ave., Fort Hamilton, Monday, Oct. 3.

(read complete story)

MIGRATION OFFICE SETS SIGHTS ON HOUSING CODE VIOLATIONS
(September 27, 2005)
Tenants of buildings with serious housing code violations in predominantly immigrant neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens will have an ally to turn to for help through a program launched by the Catholic Migration Office of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

(read complete story)

BISHOP TO GIVE FIRST RETREAT ON LIVE TV
(September 20, 2005)
For the first time, the Diocese of Brooklyn will present a live retreat on cable television, with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio delivering reflections on the Eucharist, as the Church's Special Year of the Eucharist draws to a close.

(read complete story)

PREPARING DISTRIBUTION OF TICKETS TO YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST CLOSING
(September 20, 2005)
People from across the Diocese of Brooklyn attending the Oct. 15 observance of the closing of the Special Year of the Eucharist at KeySpan Park in Coney Island will be required to present a ticket and wear a specialized wristband for entry to the event.

(read complete story)

EUCHARISTIC EVENT TO USE MONSTRANCE
FROM VATICAN
(September 14, 2005)
A monstrance blessed by Pope John Paul II last November will display the Eucharist for adoration when some 10, 000 of the faithful in the Diocese of Brooklyn come together Saturday, Oct. 15, for the solemn closing of the observance of the Special Year of the Eucharist.

(read complete story)

BISHOP SETS DIOCESAN DAY OF PENANCE, FASTING
(September 13, 2005)
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has proclaimed a Day of Penance and Fasting for Thursday, Oct. 13, two days prior to the Diocese of Brooklyn's commemoration of the closing of the Special Year of the Eucharist at KeySpan Park in Coney Island.

(read complete story)

QUEENS PROCESSION HONORS ST. PADRE PIO
(September 7, 2005)
The Italian Apostolate of the Diocese of Brooklyn will sponsor a procession and Mass in honor os St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina in Queens Sunday afternoon, Oct. 2.

(read complete story)

BISHOP ASKS FOR SUPPORT FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS
(September 6, 2005)
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has asked the pastors and administrators of the 216 parishes in Brooklyn and Queens to consider taking a collection at weekend Masses to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

(read complete story)

BOOK PUBLISHED ON THE EUCHARIST
(September 6, 2005)
Two priest-brothers of the Diocese of Brooklyn and their sister, a former managing editor at Simon and Schuster, have collaborated to produce a book that commemorates the Year of teh Eucharistic proclaimed by Pope John Paul II.

(read complete story)

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILS TO FOCUS ON PLANNING
(September 1, 2005)
With the aim to create a "culture of dialogue" in every parish of the Diocese of Brooklyn, the diocesan Pastoral Planning Office is introducingan initiative to strengthen parish pastoral councils where they exist and develop them where they do not.

(read complete story)

BISHOP INVITES ALL TO NOTE CLOSE OF EUCHARISTIC YEAR
(August 30, 2005)
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of the Diocese of Brooklyn has asked the pastors of the 216 parishes of Brooklyn and Queens to invite parishioners to join him on Saturday, Oct. 15, for a historic diocesan commemoration of the closing of the Special Year of the Eucharist, proclaimed last October by pope John Paul II.

(read complete story)

NAMED TO COORDINATE LATIN MASS IN DIOCESE
(August 26, 2005)
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has named Father James Massa, who teaches theology at the Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington, L.I., to coordinate the celebration of the traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

(read complete story)

EGYPTIAN CARDINAL IN PARK SLOPE SEPT. 4
(August 29, 2005)
Cardinal Stephanos II Ghattas, C.M., of Alexandria, Egypt, patriarch of the Coptic Catholic Church, will celebrate the Liturgy at Resurrection Coptic Chapel, 328 14th St., Park Slope, Sunday, Sept. 4, at 11 a.m.

(read complete story)

APPEAL PLEDGES GO BEYOND EXPECTATIONS
(July 18, 2005)
With more than $9.8 million pledged by parishioners through Aug. 16, the 2005 Annual Catholic Appeal of the Diocese of Brooklyn "has surpassed all expectations," Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said this week.

(read complete story)

ALLEGATION AGAINST PRIEST FOUND TO BE CREDIBLE
(June 29, 2005)
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has announced that an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor against a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, Father Frank J. Capellupo, when he was a parochial vicar in Most Precious Blood parish in Long Island City, has been found to be credible.
(read complete story)

BISHOP SULLIVAN NAMED TO HEALTH CARE PANEL
(June 21, 2005)
Retired Auxiliary Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan has been named by Governor George E. Pataki to serve as one of 18 permanent members of the newly created State Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21^st Century.

(read complete story)

FRS. LoPINTO, FRAWLEY GIVEN ADDED DUTIES
(June 14, 2005)
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of the Diocese of Brooklyn announced June 14 the appointment of Father Alfred P. LoPinto as Vicar for Human Services and Father Patrick J. Frawley as consultant on Catholic health care for the Diocese and liaison to St. Vincent Catholic Medical Centers, effective June 20. Each will serve a three-year term

(read complete story)

AID FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN EXPANDS
(June 14, 2005)
More than 5,600 students from low-income families who will attend Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens in the Fall will benefit from approximately $5 million in tuition assistance from nine programs administered by the Diocese of Brooklyn.

(read complete story)

LAWMAKERS COOPERATE ACROSS THE AISLE
(June 6, 2005)
Collaboration across the political aisle on two issues of interest to Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens marked a breakfast held for State legislators representing the two boroughs, hosted by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

(read complete story)

CARROLL GARDENS SCHOOL
REGISTERING STUDENTS FOR FALL
(June 6, 2005)
Sacred Hearts-St. Stephen's School in Carroll Gardens will continue registering students for the Fall term after its business plan designed to keep the school open was accepted on Thursday (June 2).

(read complete story)

ACCEPT BUSINESS PLANS FOR THREE SCHOOLS
(June 2, 2005)
Three parochial schools have met a May 31 deadline to devise a business plan that will enable them to enroll students for the 2005/2006 school year.

(read complete story)

BROOKLYN BISHOP TO ORDAIN SIX PRIESTS FOR DIOCESE
(May 26, 2005)
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will ordain six young men to the priesthood for the Diocese of Brooklyn at a concelebrated Mass in St. James Cathedral Basilica, Jay and Tillary Sts., Brooklyn, Saturday, June 4, at 11a.m.

(read complete story)

POPE ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF BISHOP SULLIVAN AT 75
(May 12, 2005)
Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Auxiliary Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 on March 23, it was announced today (May 12) in Washington by Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, papal nuncio to the United States.

(read complete story)

STATEMENT BY BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO
DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN
ON ELECTION OF POPE BENEDICT XVI
APRIL 19, 2005

I rejoice in the election of Pope Benedict XVI as Supreme Pontiff and Vicar of Christ.

(read complete story)

MASS MONDAY FOR NEW SPIRITUALITY CENTER
(April 12, 2005)
The opening of the Diocese of Brooklyn's new SS. Peter and Paul Spirituality Center will be commemorated at a Mass to be celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius A. Catanello in the Immaculate Conception Center Chapel in Douglaston Monday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m.

(read complete story)

MASS MONDAY TO MARK OPENING OF CONCLAVE
(April 12, 2005)
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will celebrate a Mass marking the opening of the conclave to elect a new Pope in St. James Cathedral Basilica, Brooklyn, on Monday, April 18, at 12:10 p.m. He will preach the homily. The Prayer Channel will televise the Mass.

STATEMENT BY BISHOP NICHOLAS DiMARZIO
DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN
ON DEATH OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
APRIL 2, 2005

            I join with the Bishops, clergy, Religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Brooklyn in noting the passage of the immortal soul of our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, into eternal life. We mourn the loss of this saintly leader of our Church, yet rejoice that he is released from the physical pain that he bore so heroically for so long.

(read complete story)

PRESS IS INVITED TO COVER
GOOD FRIDAY PROCESSION IN BENSONHURST

Several thousand Catholics from nine parishes located in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn will march in a solemn candlelight procession through local streets on Good Friday evening, March 25, beginning at 8, commemorating the Passion and death of Jesus Christ.

(read complete story)

BISHOP ASKS THE FAITHFUL TO
REMEMBER HOLY LAND
(March 15, 2005)
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has asked the people of the Diocese of Brooklyn to support the annual Good Friday collection, which assists the Holy Places and the Church's works of mercy in the Holy Land.

(read complete story)

STATEMENT BY BISHOP NICHOLAS DiMARZIO DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN
ON EDUCATION TAX CREDIT LEGISLATION
MARCH 7, 2005

            I want to thank you, members of the media, for coming this morning. I am grateful for the attention you have given in recent weeks to the issues relating to the Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn and our commitment to maintain, to the best of our ability, a Catholic school presence in every part of our Diocese, which, as you know, includes both Brooklyn and Queens.

(read complete story)

PARISHES TO SHOW VIDEO ON 'APPEAL WEEKEND'
(March 1, 2005)
In a series of thoughtful reflections captured in a video, several priests, Religious, seminarians and lay people explain why the Diocese of Brooklyn relies heavily on the success of the 2005 Annual Catholic Appeal to provide funding for programs and services that enhance parish life and extend the Church's ministry to the faithful of Brooklyn and Queens.

(read complete story)

BISHOP EXPRESSES HIS GRATITUDE
(Feburary 22, 2005)

My family and I wish to offer our sincere thanks for the many words of condolence and sympathy and for the Mass offerings we have received on the occasion of the recent death of our mother, Grace Grande DiMarzio. Your kind expressions of support are much appreciated by my family and myself.

Thank you one and all.

                                                        Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio

USE OF UNUSED SCHOOL SPACE EXPLAINED
(February 16, 2005)
Contrary to a published report, the Diocese of Brooklyn has not been in negotiations with the city over the past nine months regarding the future use of 22 parochial school buildings affected by the school reorganization plan announced by the Diocese of Feb. 9.

(read complete story)

REORGANIZATION PLAN WILL AFFECT SCHOOLS IN 26 PARISHES IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS

PARISHES WILL WELCOME TRANSFER STUDENTS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS; FOUR NEW REGIONAL SCHOOLS WILL OPEN IN SEPTEMBER
(February 9, 2005)

Msgr. Michael J. Hardiman, Vicar for Education in the Diocese of Brooklyn, has announced that Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has "reluctantly" accepted proposals presented to him by the Office of the Superintendent of Catholic School Support Services, the regional vicars and the Parish Fiscal Management Office, calling for a consolidation that will affect 26 parish elementary schools at the end of the school year.

(read complete story)

2004 AUDIT ON 'CHARTER' FINDS DIOCESE 'COMPLIANT'
(February 9, 2005)
A 2004 audit of the Diocese of Brooklyn's implementation of the U.S. bishop's 2002 "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" has found the Diocese to be "compliant with all articles" of the charter.

(read complete story)

DIOCESAN APPEAL HAS NEW LOOK
(February 4, 2005)
With a new name, a new goal and a specific set of beneficiaries, the annual fund-raising campaign of the Diocese of Brooklyn has begun seeking support for its 2005 appeal, committed to its theme, "Building God's Kingdom Through Generous Hearts."

(read complete story)

PARISHIONERS GENEROUS IN APPEALS FOR ASSISTANCE
(January 31, 2005)
Responding to financial appeals issued as so-called "second collections" at weekend Masses in 2004 by the Diocese of Brooklyn and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, church-goers in 216 parishes contributed $3,065,248 for causes ranging from aid to survivors of hurricanes and flooding in the Caribbean and the southeastern U.S. to support of aging religious Sisters and Brothers and of the Holy Father's charitable works around the world.

(read complete story)

TSUNAMI RELIEF AID PASSES $1 MILLION
(February 1, 2005)
Parishioners of the 216 churches of the Diocese of Brooklyn have contributed more than $1 million for relief efforts aimed at assisting the survivors of the devastating tsunami that struck South Asia and Eastern Africa Dec. 26.

(read complete story)

LENTEN REGULATIONS
(February 2005)
In introducing the year of the Eucharist, Pope John Paul II, used the image of the disciples walking with the Lord on the way to Emmaus.

(read complete story)

TO NOTE ANNIVERSARY OF 'NOSTRA AETATE'
(January 25, 2005)
The 40th anniversay of "Nostra Aetate," the historic Vatican II Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, will be commemorated at a lecture and reception at the Immaculate Conception Center, 7200 Douglaston Pkwy., Douglaston, Tuesday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m.

(read complete story)

DIOCESE TO HONOR PRO-LIFE EFFORTS
(Jan. 18, 2005)
Two leaders in the pro-life movement and two parishes---one in Queens and one in Brooklyn---will be honored at the Diocese of Brooklyn's 19the annual Sanctity of Life Mass and Pro Vita awards ceremony at St. James Cathedral Basilica, Brooklyn, Saturday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m.

(read complete story)

TSUNAMI FUNDS PASS $500,000
(January 18, 2005)
Responding to the post-Christmas tsunami devastation in South Asia and Eastern Africa, parishioners of churches in Brooklyn and Queens have donated more than a half -million dollars for disaster relief, according to a report issued by the Diocese of Brooklyn this week.

(read complete story)

PARISHES COLLECT $135,000
FOR TSUNAMI SURVIVORS
(January 10, 2005)
On the first weekend after the devastating Dec. 26 Indian Ocean tsunamis, members of parishes in Brooklyn nad Queens donated $134,816.61 for disaster relief.

(read complete story)

DIOCESE PROMOTES VOCATION
AWARENESS WEEK JAN. 9-14
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio's "Prayer for Vocations" will be recited in the parishes of the Diocese of Brooklyn during National Vocation Awareness Week Jan. 9-14

(read complete story)

DI0CESE SUPPORTS CRS AID
FOR TSUNAMI SURVIVORS
(January 3, 2005)
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has announced a commitment of $25 million for emergency relief and long-term rehabilitation programs to assist people across the south and southeast Asia regio devastated by the Dec. 26 tsunami.

(read complete story)