Media Release - April 14, 2015

Road to Recovery
April 14, 2015

http://www.road-to-recovery.org/

Brooklyn, New York Bishop Nicholas Di Marzio is holding a Mass in his Cathedral for clergy sexual abuse victims but he will not help pass legislation that will give childhood victims of clergy sexual abuse their day in court in order to obtain justice and allow for healing

Bishop Nicholas Di Marzio has not done the right thing relative to several cases of clergy and religious sexual abuse in the Brooklyn Diocese and as a result has re-victimized clergy sexual abuse victims

What

A demonstration alerting victims of clergy and religious sexual abuse, in particular, to the dangers of attending religious ceremonies that pretend to promote healing and hope but only give bishops and their assistants more reason to deceptively claim that they are truly serious about promoting healing and protecting children, teenagers, and vulnerable adults in the Catholic Church.

When

Wednesday evening, April 15, 2015 from 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM

Where

On the public sidewalks outside St. James Cathedral Basilica, 250 Cathedral Place, Brooklyn, NY in Downtown Brooklyn (near Jay Street and one block north of Tillary Street)

Who

Members of Road to Recovery, Inc., a non-profit charity that assists victims of sexual abuse and their families; other survivors, and supporters

Why

Catholic bishops deceptively conduct healing and hope Masses and prayer services for victims of sexual abuse and their families when they should be focused on promoting healing and protecting children, teenagers, and vulnerable adults through legislation and the courts. A healing and hope Mass only serves to make the local bishop and his child abuse office feel like they are accomplishing something. In fact, Bishop Nicholas Di Marzio has consistently attempted to block legislation that would give sexual abuse victims their day in court in New York State, and he has barred victims from getting the services they need to heal. Victims are better served when bishops stop blocking legislative attempts, such as the Child Victims’ Act, sponsored by a Brooklyn diocesan Catholic legislator, Assemblywoman Marge Markey, which would hold clergy sexual abusers and their enablers accountable.

Contacts

Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Road to Recovery, Inc., Livingston, NJ – 862-368-2800

Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, Boston, MA – 617-523-6250