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Brooklyn Bishop Is Accused of Sexual Abuse While a Young Priest Bishop Named by Pope to Investigate Abuse Is Accused Himself
(32 minutes later)
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, the longtime leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, sexually abused an 11-year-old altar boy during his tenure as a young priest in Jersey City in the 1970s, according to a lawyer who helped unleash Boston’s priest abuse scandal.Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, the longtime leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, sexually abused an 11-year-old altar boy during his tenure as a young priest in Jersey City in the 1970s, according to a lawyer who helped unleash Boston’s priest abuse scandal.
The lawyer, Mitchell Garabedian, informed Catholic officials in New Jersey this week that he was preparing a lawsuit on behalf of a client who says he was molested by Bishop DiMarzio more than 40 years ago, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press, which reported the accusation.The lawyer, Mitchell Garabedian, informed Catholic officials in New Jersey this week that he was preparing a lawsuit on behalf of a client who says he was molested by Bishop DiMarzio more than 40 years ago, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press, which reported the accusation.
In the letter, according to The A.P., Mr. Garabedian says that his client, Mark Matzek, 56, claims that as an altar boy at St. Nicholas Church and student at St. Nicholas School, he was repeatedly abused by Bishop DiMarzio and a second priest. In the letter, according to The A.P., Mr. Garabedian says that his client, Mark Matzek, 56, claims that as an altar boy at St. Nicholas Church and student at St. Nicholas School, he was repeatedly abused by Bishop DiMarzio and a second priest, Albert Mark. Father Mark is dead, the letter says.
Bishop DiMarzio denied the accusation unequivocally in a statement to The A.P.Bishop DiMarzio denied the accusation unequivocally in a statement to The A.P.
“In my nearly 50-year ministry as a priest, I have never engaged in unlawful or inappropriate behavior and I categorically deny this allegation,” he said in the statement. “I am confident I will be fully vindicated.”“In my nearly 50-year ministry as a priest, I have never engaged in unlawful or inappropriate behavior and I categorically deny this allegation,” he said in the statement. “I am confident I will be fully vindicated.”
In a longer new statement issued by the diocese, he added: “There will be a legal process now and I will vigorously defend myself against this false allegation.” In a longer, new statement issued by the diocese, which encompasses Brooklyn and Queens, Bishop DiMarzio added, “There will be a legal process now and I will vigorously defend myself against this false allegation.”
Pope Francis chose Bishop DiMarzio to investigate the Buffalo, N.Y., diocese, where Bishop Richard J. Malone has come under criticism for how he has handled a mushrooming clergy abuse scandal. The matter has prompted calls for Bishop Malone’s resignation. Maria Margiotta, a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Newark, which includes the Jersey City parish where Bishop DiMarzio was assigned when the abuse is alleged to have happened, confirmed that officials there had received Mr. Garabedian’s letter.
“The Archdiocese has reported the matter to, and is cooperating with, law enforcement,” Ms. Margiotta.
Last month, Pope Francis chose Bishop DiMarzio to investigate the Buffalo, N.Y., diocese, where Bishop Richard J. Malone has come under criticism for how he has handled a mushrooming clergy abuse scandal. The matter has prompted calls for Bishop Malone’s resignation.
“The investigation of the diocese of Buffalo by Bishop DiMarzio is tainted because of these allegations,” Mr. Garabedian told The A.P.“The investigation of the diocese of Buffalo by Bishop DiMarzio is tainted because of these allegations,” Mr. Garabedian told The A.P.
The Brooklyn diocese encompasses Brooklyn and Queens. Mr. Garabedian declined to share a copy of his letter to the Newark diocese with The New York Times. In an email, he expanded on his comments about Bishop DiMarzio’s role in the Buffalo inquiry.
“It is time for the police to investigate the investigator,” Mr. Garabedian said. “The investigation should include questioning Pope Francis about his appointment of the bishop as investigator.”
Mr. Garabedian also urged that Bishop DiMarzio “be immediately placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.”
Michael Gold contributed reporting.Michael Gold contributed reporting.