Head of Brooklyn Diocese Denies Sex Abuse Claim Against Him

The bishop heading up the Brooklyn Diocese stands accused of child sex abuse just a month after his appointment to investigate clergy sex abuse allegations upstate.

According to the New York Post, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio allegedly molested the now 56-year-old Mark Matzek while he was an altar boy at St. Nicholas church in Jersey City. The abuse, claimed to have happened between 1974 and 1975, continued while Matzek was a student at St. Nicholas School in the same city.

Matzek was between 11 and 12 years old at the time of his abuse, while DiMarzio was a New Jersey parish priest in his 30’s. A second priest participated in the abuse, as well, Matzek calling out the late Reverend Albert Mark for contributing his abuse. Matzek and his lawyer are preparing to file a claim against the Catholic Church for the alleged abuse, calling out the clergy for failing to protect children from sexual predators in the congregation.

DiMarzio denies all allegations against him.

“In my nearly 50-year ministry as a priest, I have never engaged in unlawful or inappropriate behavior, and I emphatically deny this allegation,” Dimarzio said in a statement. “I am confident I will be fully vindicated.”

Last month, DiMarzio was appointed by Pope Francis to investigate a sex-abuse allegation in the Buffalo Diocese. The previous bishop in charge of the investigation, Bishop Joseph Malone, was removed from the position after reports of mismanaging the investigation.

Now, Matzek’s lawyer is calling for the Catholic Church to hold Bishop DiMarzio accountable for the allegations against him and admit negligence.

“It is time for the police to investigate the investigator Bishop DiMarzio,” Matzek’s lawyer reported in a statement. “The investigation should include questioning Pope Francis about his appointment of the bishop as investigator.”

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