Thursday, November 14, 2019

The USCCB Meeting in Baltimore Is Impressive But More Disturbing Allegations from the East Coast

I've watched segments of the USCCB Fall meeting airing on the Catholic Faith Network over the past few days. I was impressed with the good initiatives and plans the bishops of the United States discuss, vote on and try to put into place.
Their work seemed thoughtful, intelligent and timely. Yet as some bishops mentioned, how do they reach the families and "nones" who don't come into Church. They will have to make better use of social media and advertising of all types, because the Catholic Church does have something very good to offer society, when it is lived out to its fullest and in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ. And the uncertain world we live in and its people,  need Jesus and His holistic, compassionate and meaningful teachings now more than ever.

Late last night I received a blast email from the Diocese of Brooklyn stating the startling accusation made against Bishop DiMarzio from 40 years ago. Just like that, even though Bishop DiMarzio is in Rome with other bishops as part of meetings with the Pope, his life has been thrown into chaos, having to come home to the Brooklyn Diocese to deny (which he has already done) and fight these allegations that he abused an altar boy,  40 years ago.
Bishop DiMarzio was near retirement and now this. Having worked in the DOB for many years I know Bishop DiMarzio as a hard worker, faithful to the mission of the Church and there was never any talk of any inappropriate behavior.  I was totally shocked at the news as I'm sure all past and present employees and parishioners from the Diocese were.
Bishop DiMarzio believes he will be fully exonerated. The man Mark Matzek, now 56, claims he was  molested by the bishop and another priest (who has since died) when he was a student at  St. Nicholas School and Church in Jersey City, NJ.  He has hired a high powered and famous lawyer to represent him, Mitchell Garabedian. He is suing for over 20 million dollars.
And so the saga of child sex abuse, destroyed lives and the fallout from it, continues. The lives ruined are so sad to read about.
Please God end this horrific chapter in the life of the Church.  And may the Holy Spirit make holy the Church which does so much good and yet is so flawed as well.
NJA