TT_Jubilarians_20200620_Yumpu_med

The Pro-Life Newspaper TheTablet.org | June 20, 2020 C33
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio: Half a Century of Faithful Service
Continued from Page 3
a member of the board of directors of
Catholic Relief Services and chairman
of its finance committee, and a member
of the Bishops’ Task Force on Catholic
Bishops and Politicians.
The Fight Against Sexual Abuse
In his 17 years as Bishop of Brooklyn,
he has been known as a strong advocate
for those abused by the clergy, and a
fierce supporter of Catholic schools as
well as immigrants’ rights. He led the
Diocese through structural reforms of its
parishes and diocesan structures.
Brooklyn is Always Changing
“Brooklyn is always constantly
changing. You can’t set too many goals
long term, otherwise, you’re going to
be disappointed,” said the Bishop.
“Neighborhoods change, people change,
less Catholics basically. Less Catholics
participating in the church, less Catholics
live here.
“When we lose 1,000 kids from school
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Msgr.
Jamie Gigantiello, pastor of Our Lady of
Mount Carmel and Annunciation parish,
and the Diocesan Vicar for Development,
at the 2018 Columbus Day Parade in
Manhattan. (File photo)
every year — 60-70% — they moved out of
the city. It wasn’t that the schools were
bad; they wanted to go someplace else.
They couldn’t afford living in the city.
They wanted better housing. You don’t
know the answer to that. But that is going
to be always a problem.”
Looking Back
The Bishop says he has found great
satisfaction in his 50 years as a priest.
“No, regrets. Actually, I’ve been
fortunate. It’s been a happy ministry,
painful at times, different things, but I
can’t say that it wasn’t satisfying, that
I didn’t feel I accomplished something.
You know, you can’t judge yourself, but I
wouldn’t have any regret,” he said.
What’s been his greatest satisfaction?
“Obviously, the celebration of liturgy,
working with the people, going out to
the parishes, talking to people, that’s
the most enjoyable,” he explained. “All
this paperwork, you can’t enjoy papers.
Administration is necessary but it’s not
something that’s enjoyable. It’s necessary
but not satisfying.”
Retirement
And his prospects for retirement?
“I’m not looking forward to retirement,”
he said. “I know this is the law. But, when
you are at the top of your game, it’s
difficult. It takes a long time to be able to
say that I know more or less what this job
is about, how to do it. But nobody could
work forever.
“You don’t have the energy when you’re
75 as you did at 65. It’s just not the same
energy, even though you do things, it
takes a greater toll, you’re tired, it can’t be
helped.
“So again, let’s leave it to God’s hands.
And I’ll be available for the new bishop
if he wants any advice. So, I’m not going
to give up on being a bishop or being a
person. As I said, I want to work more on
migration issues. I want something that
sustains me, and I could do something
with that.”
Bishop DiMarzio had planned to
celebrate his 50th anniversary with a
Mass of thanksgiving at St. Joseph’s Co-
Cathedral but that has been postponed
because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
WE HONOR AND PRAY FOR
Most Reverend
Nicholas DiMarzio
&
all of our priest jubilarians of the Diocese of Brooklyn
Most Reverend Paul R. Sanchez
Reverend Antonín Kocurek
Deacon Greg Kandra
Mrs. Anne Zuschlag, Principal
OLQM Catholic Academy
Very Reverend Francis J. Passenant
Reverend Msgr.
Joseph L. Cunningham
Deacon Thomas Jorge, Director
of Religious Education
and the Parishioners of
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs