STATEMENT OF EDWARD CARDINAL EGAN AND BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO ON PROPOSED CLINIC ACCESS BILL

Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York, and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, have released a joint statement of opposition to Intro. 826, the so-called Clinic Access Bill, which is currently before the New York City Council. The statement was released by the Catholic Community Relations Council, a not-for-profit corporation founded to represent the policy interests of the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn in New York City.

The text of their statement follows:

“A bill is now pending before the New York City Council, Intro.826, which will violate the Constitutional rights of those who give pro-life witness outside abortion clinics here in New York City.

“We urgently call upon all members of the City Council to oppose this unjust bill.

“Intro.826 is premised upon the false assumption that there is a significant problem with disorder outside of abortion clinics.  Actually, law-abiding citizens give peaceful and prayerful pro-life witness on a regular basis, offering valuable information to women approaching the clinics.  Despite such a clear record of respect for the law, this legislation is designed to prevent pro-life advocates from speaking freely merely because their speech is considered unwelcome by some powerful interest groups that favor and profit from abortion.

“This legislation is fundamentally unfair to ordinary citizens who wish to express their Constitutional rights to free speech and the free exercise of religion.  It is vague and ambiguous so that persons of ordinary intelligence could not possibly know that kinds of behavior or speech are prohibited.  Ultimately, it is unfair to women who have a right to information before they make their decision as to whether or not to have an abortion.

“This legislation does a disservice to these women, to their unborn children, and to a society as a whole, and should therefore be rejected.”

CATHEDRAL PREPARATORY SEMINARY ONE OF 50 TOP CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN UNITED STATES

Cathedral Preparatory Seminary earned a spot as one of the Top 50 Best Catholic High Schools in the country. The Catholic High School Honor Roll is an initiative designed to recognize and encourage excellence in Catholic Secondary education. The Honor Roll ranked academics, Catholic Identity and civic education.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio welcomed the news saying “I am grateful that Cathedral Preparatory Seminary has earned a place on the National Catholic High School Honor Roll’s 2008 list of the 50 best Catholic high schools in the country. I congratulate the Rector, Father Fred Morano and the entire school community for their faithfulness and hard work. I pray that the administration, teachers, parents and students continue to strengthen and renew their commitment to Catholic education.”

The school is unique in our country, as the only remaining Seminary day-school in the country. Bishop DiMarzio remarked, “The mission of attracting and educating young men for the priesthood continues to be my highest priority in this diocese. I am gratified that among the 1,300 Catholic high schools considered for this award our Diocesan High School Seminary would be so honored.”

Cathedral Preparatory Seminary was founded by the late Bishop of Brooklyn, The Most Reverend Charles Edward McDonnell in 1914. It remains one of the smallest schools of the Diocese with an enrollment of 160 students. Twenty percent of the priests who were ordained for the Diocese of Brooklyn, in the last 15 years were Cathedral Preparatory Seminary graduates. Additionally one third of the current diocesan seminarians are also Cathedral Prep. alumni.

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY TO 50 STUDENTS IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN

Thanks to the generosity of the Tri State Italian American Congress, 50 students from Catholic Elementary Schools and Catholic High Schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn received a scholarship of $500 to be applied to this year’s tuition.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio presided over the Prayer Service and a Scholarship Presentation Ceremony. In his remarks, the Bishop recognized the “sacrifices that parents make to send their children to Catholic schools.” Speaking to those gathered, Bishop DiMarzio remarked, “On behalf of the working class and working poor families of Brooklyn and Queens I want to particularly recognize the generosity and commitment to Catholic Education of Judge Fusco and the Tri State Italian American Congress.”

Judge Fusco, in his remarks, shared his “passion for Catholic education” and pledged to “…continue to assist the families of Italian American Heritage.” Judge Fusco re-affirmed the importance of Catholic education and the impact that a quality Catholic education has on the young of today.

Following the Presentation, Bishop DiMarzio and Judge Fusco, spent time with the students and their parents.

Those gathered all appreciated the generous gift of the Tri State Italian American Congress and the willingness of the Tri State Italian American Congress to continue their efforts to support Catholic education within the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Bishop DiMarzio indicated that this is “…truly a day of hope for the future.”

BISHOP DIMARZIO WILL HOLD A MASS FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE TERROR ATTACKS IN INDIA

In response to the recent terror attacks in India, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will hold a mass for healing on Saturday December 13, 2008. The Mass for Peace and Reconciliation in Wake of Terrorism and Sectarian Violence in India will take place at Our Lady of the Snows Church, in Floral Park, Queens at 6:30 p.m. Bishop DiMarzio will be joined at the mass by the diocesan Indian and Pakistani apostolates.

The recent terror attacks in India in which nearly 200 people were killed and hundreds of others injured has garnered outrage from across the globe.  Pope Benedict XVI condemned the terrorist attacks and in a telegram to Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai called “for an end to all acts of terrorism, which gravely offend the human family and severely destabilize the peace and solidarity needed to build a civilization worthy of mankind’s noble vocation to love God and neighbor.” He has urged all people to pray for the victims in India as well as all whose lives are affected by acts of terror.

Our diocese is no stranger to the effects of violence and terrorism. “The people of our diocese have experienced terrorism and violence first hand and feel a special kinship with the people of Mumbai, in the wake of the tragic events that have befallen their city.” said Bishop DiMarzio. These attacks and the sectarian violence directed at India’s minority Christian population has been especially hard to bear, occurring just before the start of Advent.

“As we enter the third week of Advent and continue to prepare for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we must all pray that the light of Christ’s love enters the hearts of all the people who have been affected by these recent terror attacks.  That the perpetrators see the errors of their actions and repent, that the victims heal, not only physically, but are also able to forgive those who have so egregiously wronged them.  That the people of India are able to, not only rebuild their buildings, but also the relationships between the different ethnic and religious groups.” said Bishop DiMarzio. 

Our Lady of the Snows Parish, was chosen as the location for this special mass because of its sizable and active Indian congregation. Bishop DiMarzio asks that all join him in praying for the victims of the attacks in Mumbai, and to pray for peace in India and throughout the world, and to join him at this special mass if possible.

A CATHOLIC VIEW OF IMMIGRATION - BISHOP DIMARZIO TACKLES TOUGH QUESTIONS ON THE HOT BOTTON TOPIC OF IMMIGRATION

In the latest edition of The Shepherd’s Voice Series, Brothers and Sisters in Christ: A Catholic Teaching on the Issue of Immigration, The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, examines the morality of immigration policy and the responsibility of Catholic citizens to ensure that the laws of their country always support the inherent human dignity of all people, regardless of where they were born.

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