This guy is one haughty priest in the face of his hearing about only his first charges of child abuse --- AND --- For some reason Bishop DiMarzio chose to highlight the fact that the recent charge against him "...was already known to [ ] Pope Francis..."
However, his report on his participation in the New York Catholic Bishops' recent "ad limina" visit(s) to the Vatican and other sites around Rome betrayed how "on edge" * DiMarzio really is, as well as how "on the edge" **
There is little new or insightful when it comes to what Godfather Bishop Nicky Mars has to say about the bombshell charges leveled against him by Mitchell Garabedian on behalf of his client, which was national news for two or three days last week --- in fact, much of it was verbatim from DiMarzio's earlier statements --- but, he did sort of promise that there was more to tell "in a future column"
Here are the meat and potatoes of the section of DiMarzio's remarks about how the pedophile thing went over while he was in Rome:
".... Our Holy Father was keenly aware of the individual problems each one of his bishops faces. As we left the meeting, I was amazed that the false accusation made against me was already known to him. Pope Francis thanked me for my work in being the Apostolic Visitator to the Diocese of Buffalo and expressed his hope that the matter presented against me would be cleared up quickly for the good of the Diocese of Brooklyn.... This allegation is humiliating. I have never abused anyone in my life. In my nearly 50-year ministry as a priest, I have never done anything illegal or inappropriate and I look forward to my exoneration in this false accusation. I categorically deny this allegation and will vigorously defend myself against this claim. I have devoted my episcopacy in Brooklyn and Queens and in Camden before that, to fighting sex abuse and putting in the reforms needed to ensure the protection of children. Never would I have thought that as I am coming to the end of my time in active ministry, I would face such an allegation.... I am humbled by all the support I have received from you, the faithful of Brooklyn and Queens, during this difficult time. You have a right to more information on this matter and I pledge to you continued transparency in a future column...." (See citation below)
DiMarzio's little bit of braggadocious name dropping about ".... As we left the meeting, I was amazed that the false accusation made against me was already known to him. Pope Francis thanked me for my work in being the Apostolic Visitator to the Diocese of Buffalo and expressed his hope that the matter presented against me would be cleared up quickly for the good of the Diocese of Brooklyn...." --- NOW, THAT IS QUITE INTERESTING IN SO MANY WAYS.....
For the rest of Godfather Bishop Nicky Mars' travelogue and trip down memory lane you'll have to read his complete remarks yourself (See "I Am Humbled by Your Support" by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, 11/20/19, The Tablet/ Put Out Into The Deep [hetablet.org/i-am-humbled-by-your-support/?fbclid=IwAR2_X_w8VP8S3-G0IB693EFLSiFP_yI9_8fEOvp0YX99KDDpDm2_sAScXIU]).
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* & ** Bishop DiMarzio chose to transliterate or interpret "ad limina" as "on the doorstep"; whereas I thought my translations "on edge" and/or "on the edge" would do very nicely and would be far more descriptive of the reality.....
BACKFILL: THE "HIS PAST AS BISHOP OF BROOKLYN AND CAMDEN WAS NOT SO GREAT EITHER" EDITION
ReplyDeleteCONTRARY TO DIMARZIO'S MOST RECENT STATEMENT MENTIONING HIS HISTORY WITH RESPECT TO SEX ABUSE AND SEX ABUSE CHARGES IN HIS DIOCESES WHILE A BISHOP, HIS HISTORY IN THAT REGARD IS QUITE BLEMISHED, AND HE HAS BEEN PUBLICLY RENOUNCED FOR IT BY ADVOCATES FOR VICTIMS OF PRIESTLY SEXUAL ABUSE
FOR EXAMPLE, IN 2008 SNAP (THE SURVIVORS NETWORK OF THOSE ABUSED BY PRIESTS) SENT A LETTER TO THE PAPAL NUNCIO TO FORWARD TO THE POPE CRITICIZING BROOKLYN BISHOP DI MARZIO FOR HIS HANDLING OF PEDOPHILE PRIESTS AND THE CHARGES AGAINST THOSE PRIESTS IN HIS DIOCESE --- AND IN 2003 A VICTIM OF PRIESTLY SEXUAL ABUSE ACCUSED DI MARZIO OF "PLAYING HARDBALL" WHEN DEALING WITH THE CLAIMS OF VICTIMS OF PRIESTLY SEXUAL ABUSE; AND THE JUDGE IN THAT CASE APPARENTLY AGREED
According to SNAP's 2008 letter to the Papal Nuncio, Brooklyn's Bishop DiMarzio had, "... a disturbing track record of recklessness, secrecy and callousness when it comes to protecting the vulnerable and healing the wounded, even in recent years.... It is intensely demoralizing and hurtful to us and to many Catholics when we see church officials promoted who are concealing or have concealed clergy sex crimes.... We’re hoping to prevent more disillusionment and pain for those still in pain.”
In addition there were these two earlier SNAP notification with respect to Nicholas DiMarzio:
"NY Booklyn -Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio
While in Camden, DiMarzio let an admitted and charged molester, the Rev. John P. Connor, work as a hospital chaplain and live in two parish rectories, where he allegedly abused more children. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_04_21_OReilly_HowA_John_P_Connor_2.htm)
In 2004, after a seven year struggle by two victims (and a nearly year-long struggle involving DiMarzio), the Brooklyn bishop finally suspended an accused predator priest. (http://www.snapnetwork.org/news/otherstates/ny_accused_priest_dismissed.htm)...."
And there was this in the NY Post in 2003:
".... PRIEST sex-abuse victim Philip Young remembers the “hardball” legal tactics employed by the Diocese of Camden under the helm of Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.... When the nine-year-old class-action lawsuit, filed by 23 victims against 15 priests, was settled in March [2003] for $880,000, the judge scolded the diocese for its “legal hardball” tactic[s].... Young yesterday warned New Yorkers about DiMarzio’s hardball ways, which he charges the bishop still employed even after the settlement [of his case in 2003].... 'It seems to me, personally, they’re playing the same shuffle game – just like they moved pedophile priests....'." (See "VICTIM BLASTS PASTOR FOR PRAYING ‘HARDBALL’" by Doug Montero, 8/2/2003, NY Post/ News [https://nypost.com/2003/08/02/sex-victim-blasts-pastor-for-praying-hardball/]).
From Camden to Buffalo. That Nicky is a real high roller
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