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News Releases
Bishop places pastor on leave
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has placed a Brooklyn pastor on administrative leave from active priestly ministry after allegations of sexual misconduct against him were found to be credible.
In a letter read to parishioners of St. Brendan's Church in Flatbush at the conclusion of the weekend Masses Aug. 7-8, the Bishop said Father Arthur D. Purcell, the pastor since 1998, would not be returning to the parish.
The letter stated that two individuals had claimed that the inappropriate behavior took place in another parish about 20 years ago. Father Purcell has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Bishop DiMarzio presented the information to the Diocesan Review Board, as mandated in the U.S. Bishops' 2002 "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" and its accompanying "Essential Norms."
Using a former police detective as an investigator, the board examined the allegations and issued a report to the Bishop, recommending that Father Purcell be removed from active ministry. After reviewing the report, the Bishop determined that the claims were credible and he responded to the board's recommendation.
"In doing so, I am acting in compliance with the direction presented by the ‘Essential Norms' of the Bishops," he said.
As a priest on administrative leave, Father Purcell will not be permitted to present himself as a priest, celebrate Mass publicly or administer the sacraments. He may offer Mass privately.
Bishop DiMarzio appointed Msgr. Rocco D. Villani, a retired former pastor of St. Brendan's, to serve as temporary administrator of the parish until he selects a pastor.
"I am deeply grateful to him for his priestly generosity," the Bishop said of Msgr. Villani. Bishop DiMarzio said "I speak on behalf of the Church, and in particular the Church of the Diocese of Brooklyn, when I offer profound apologies" to the victims. "They have suffered, and even the passage of time has not dimmed the memory of a difficult episode in their lives."
The Bishop asked anyone who as a minor may have been the victim of improper behavior by a member of the clergy of the Diocese "to come forward and advise us." He gave the new telephone reporting number established by the Diocese: (888) 634-4499.
Referring to Father Purcell's permission to say Mass privately, the Bishop said: "It is my prayer that his celebration of the Eucharist will sustain him in what is clearly a painful period in his life."
Members of the Diocesan Healing Intervention Team were available to speak with parishioners after the Masses. They were also scheduled to meet with parishioners the following Wednesday evening.
Sister Ellen Patricia Finn, O.P., the Victim/Survivor Coordinator for the Diocese, met with parishioners on the weekend. Assisting were Sister Patricia Hudson, C.S.J., the diocesan Safe Environment Coordinator, Deacon Jaime Cobham, Timothy McBride and Alfred Wassler.
In his letter, which Very Rev. Sean G. Ogle, Episcopal Vicar, read at the Masses, Bishop DiMarzio said: "Surely you know that this continues to be a challenging time for our Church. I ask you to join me in prayer for the well being of the victims. Please pray, too, for Father Purcell. I add my own prayers for you as you receive this distressing information."
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