Diocese of Brooklyn

The Latest

New York City mayor Bill de Blasio.

NYC mayor de Blasio defends decision not to pay for coronavirus testing at private schools

Dec 2, 2020

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is defending his decision not to extend state funding for on-site coronavirus testing... Read more

The Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Brooklyn, NYC.

Supreme Court overturns NY church restrictions, Brooklyn bishop says religion 'essential' during pandemic

Nov 26, 2020

The Supreme Court said Wednesday night that NY state restrictions on religious services during the coronavirus pandemic are a violation... Read more

Catholic couple donates hundreds of Thanksgiving turkeys in Brooklyn, Queens

Nov 22, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

For one Catholic businessman in New York City, Thanksgiving has long been a time of sacrifice and generosity. For each... Read more

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn. CNA file photo.

Brooklyn diocese appeals to Supreme Court over COVID church closures

Nov 13, 2020

By Matt Hadro

The Diocese of Brooklyn is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court in its case against New York’s COVID restrictions on... Read more

Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros.

Brooklyn auxiliary bishop retires, remains as local pastor

Oct 30, 2020

The Diocese of Brooklyn announced Friday the retirement of Octavio Cisneros from the office of auxiliary bishop. The Cuban-born bishop... Read more

A toppled statue of the Virgin Mary outside St. Germaine Catholic Church in Prescott Valley, Ariz., Oct. 20, 2020.

Statues of Christ, Mary toppled outside parishes in New York, Arizona

Oct 22, 2020

Several religious statues— including two of Mary and one of Christ— outside Catholic churches were damaged in overnight attacks earlier... Read more

St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City.

NY Catholic Conference: Follow the science. Open the churches.

Oct 20, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

New York’s Catholic dioceses continue to push back on new coronavirus restrictions that have shut down more than two dozen... Read more

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn. CNA file photo

Religion is not the problem: Brooklyn bishop blasts New York COVID measures

Oct 16, 2020

By Matt Hadro

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn warned on Friday that New York’s most recent coronavirus measures were “not reasonable.” Speaking one day after... Read more

Church closed sign.

Brooklyn diocese gets court date for lawsuit over NY coronavirus restrictions

Oct 14, 2020

A federal court on Thursday will hear the Diocese of Brooklyn’s case against New York’s new restrictions on public gatherings.  Read more

The Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Brooklyn, NYC.

Federal judges decline to block New York worship restrictions

Oct 12, 2020

Two federal judges on Friday declined to block new restrictions on public worship in New York City, which both Catholic... Read more

The Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Brooklyn, NYC.

Brooklyn bishop: 'Outrageous' NY coronavirus restrictions ignore church successes

Oct 7, 2020

The Bishop of Brooklyn has strongly criticized the re-imposition of strict coronavirus rules on places of worship in New York... Read more

Diocese asks governor to allow its schools in parts of Brooklyn, Queens to open

Oct 6, 2020

Catholics schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn have asked New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to permit four schools in areas... Read more

Knights of Columbus donates to vandalized Brooklyn parish

Sep 21, 2020

The Knights of Columbus has contributed thousands of dollars to a Brooklyn parish following an act of vandalism earlier this... Read more

Statue of Mary outside Cathedral Prep School and Seminary, Queens, New York.

Statues of Mary vandalized in weekend of Catholic church attacks

Jul 12, 2020

Boston police are investigating an arson attack on a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary Saturday night, the second attack... Read more

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn. CNA file photo

Brooklyn Catholic Bishop DiMarzio denies ‘libelous’ accusations of abuse

Jun 4, 2020

By Matt Hadro

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn has denied a second allegation of sexual abuse, and said he is considering taking legal... Read more

Monsignor Kieran Harrington blesses the coffin of Fr. Jorge Ortiz-Garay before its trip to Mexico.

Seven coronavirus fatalities at Michigan convent

May 5, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

During the month of April, 11 Felician Sisters of Livonia, Michigan died, including two who died on Easter Sunday. A... Read more

Catholic Charities distribute food at St. Michael – St. Malachy Parish, Brooklyn. April 24, 2020.

'This is exactly what we want to be doing': A friar's life in Brooklyn during coronavirus

Apr 25, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

Fr. Brendan Buckley, OFM. Cap., had never heard of the Zoom before this past March and the onset of the... Read more

Fr. Kevin Sweeney, who was appointed Bishop of Paterson April 15, 2020. Photo courtesy DeSales Media Group.

Brooklyn priest named bishop of Paterson, New Jersey diocese

Apr 15, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Wednesday accepted the resignation of Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli, appointing Brooklyn pastor Fr. Kevin J. Sweeney to be... Read more

Pope Francis greets Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn at the Vatican during the USCCB's Region II ad limina, Nov. 15, 2019.

Pope Francis expresses concern for New Yorkers amid coronavirus

Apr 14, 2020

Pope Francis phoned Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York Tuesday to express his concern for the people of New York... Read more

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn. CNA file photo

DiMarzio welcomes investigation, points to personal record fighting abuse

Jan 19, 2020

By CNA Staff

The Diocese of Brooklyn said that Bishop DiMarzio had done nothing wrong and had no intention of stepping aside during... Read more