Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn Cleared of Allegations of Abuse after Vos Estis Lux Mundi Investigation - FULL TEXT Official Release
Archdiocese of NY Official Statement:
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican has informed Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, that it has found the allegations of sexual abuse of minors brought twenty-one months ago against The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, “not to have the semblance of truth.” Given this finding, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith will not authorize any further canonical process to address the accusations. Two civil lawsuits have been filed against Bishop DiMarzio alleging that, as a priest in the Archdiocese of Newark a half-century ago, he had committed acts of sexual abuse against minors, which Bishop DiMarzio has steadfastly denied.
Cardinal Dolan, as the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Province of New York, was authorized by the Holy See to conduct an investigation into the allegations in accord with Vos Estis Lux Mundi, the norms issued by Pope Francis in 2019 to address allegations of abuse brought against bishops. Cardinal Dolan hired the law firm of Herbert Smith Freehills which, in turn, retained the Freeh Group, headed by former FBI Director Louis Freeh, to conduct an independent, thorough investigation. The investigation results were submitted to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for its review and determination.
https://archny.org/statement-of-the-archdiocese-of-new-york-regarding-bishop-dimarzio/
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Bishop DiMarzio Wrote this Letter:
Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord:
In November 2019, I informed you of the allegations accusing me of sexual abuse in the 1970s. At that time, I shared with you my complete confidence that I would be fully exonerated.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has announced - after an exhaustive independent investigation conducted by former federal prosecutor John O'Donnell, in which I cooperated fully - its determination:
“The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican has informed Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, that it has found the allegations of sexual abuse of minors brought twenty months ago against The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, “not to have the semblance of truth.” Given this finding, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith will not authorize any further canonical process to address the accusations.
Two civil lawsuits have been filed against Bishop DiMarzio alleging that, as a priest in the Archdiocese of Newark a half-century ago, he had committed acts of sexual abuse against minors, which Bishop DiMarzio has steadfastly denied.
Cardinal Dolan, as the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Province of New York, was authorized by the Holy See to conduct an investigation into the allegations in accord with Vos Estis Lux Mundi, the norms issued by Pope Francis in 2019 to address allegations of abuse brought against bishops. Cardinal Dolan hired the law firm of Herbert Smith Freehills which, in turn, retained the Freeh Group, headed by former FBI Director Louis Freeh, to conduct an independent, thorough investigation. The investigation results were submitted to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for its review and determination.”
https://archny.org/statement-of-the-archdiocese-of-new.../
I repeat what I have said from the beginning. There is no truth to these allegations. Throughout my more than 50-year ministry as a priest, I have never abused anyone. As promised, I fully cooperated with this inquiry, because I know I did nothing wrong. I have prayed for a conclusion to this investigation, and these final results further verify, as I have consistently said, that these allegations have absolutely no merit.
The last nearly two years have been challenging for our Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens. I remain focused on leading the Diocese of Brooklyn. I ask for your prayers as I continue to fight against the civil lawsuits stemming from these two allegations, and as I now look forward to clearing my name in the New Jersey state courts.
Thank you for your prayers and support of me during these past many months. You may be assured of my remembrance of you in prayer and in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Ph.D., D.D.
Bishop of Brooklyn
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