You are reading

Vatican Names New Bishop for Catholic Diocese That Oversees Queens

Bishop Robert J. Brennan has been appointed the Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn (Photo: Courtesy of the Diocese of Columbus)

Sept. 29, 2021 By Christian Murray

The Vatican announced today that it has appointed a new bishop to lead the Diocese of Brooklyn, a post that oversees Catholic churches and schools in the boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn.

Bishop Robert Brennan, who is currently serving as the Bishop of Columbus, Ohio, will be taking over the position from Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, who submitted his resignation in 2019 upon reaching 75 years of age—as required by Canon Law.

Bishop DiMarzio’s resignation was accepted today.

The change will go into effect on Tuesday, Nov. 30, when a mass of installation will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Brooklyn.

Bishop Brennan, who was born in the Bronx and raised on Long Island, has served Catholics mainly in the Long Island region.

The 59-year-old completed his studies for the priesthood at the Seminary of Immaculate Conception in Huntington, Long Island, and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Rockville Center in 1989. The Diocese of Rockville Center oversees the Catholic churches on Long Island.

His first parish assignment was at the Church of St. Patrick in Smithtown, Long Island. He served as Secretary to the Bishop for the Diocese of Rockville Center and was later ordained an Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese. In January 2019, he was appointed the Bishop of Columbus.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio (Photo: Courtesy of the Brooklyn Diocese)

“In the selection of Bishop Robert Brennan, the Holy Father has called upon a native New Yorker to return to lead the faithful of Brooklyn and Queens. On behalf of the Diocese of Brooklyn, I welcome Bishop Brennan who I have known for many years,” said Bishop DiMarzio, who has served the diocese as bishop for 18 years.

“This is a historic moment for the Diocese of Brooklyn which is a very active Diocese, and Bishop Brennan’s energy makes him a perfect choice. I ask for God’s blessings on this transition so that the work of God, in service to His people, can effectively continue for the more than 1.2 million Catholics throughout Brooklyn and Queens,” DiMarzio said.

Brennan said it would be difficult leaving the Diocese of Columbus but welcomed the new opportunity.

“I came to know amazing people in the Diocese of Columbus and there is a tremendous sadness in leaving them behind,” Bishop Brennan said. “As I prepare for a return to New York, I am ready and eager to embrace the people of Brooklyn and Queens as their pastor.”

 

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Gotti grandsons charged in Howard Beach assault after home burglary by Gambino associate: NYPD

Two grandsons of the late Gambino mob boss John Gotti were arrested Monday for dishing out some street justice against an associate who allegedly robbed the Howard Beach home of the don’s namesake on Saturday.

Reputed Gambino associate Gino Gabrielli, 31, was arrested on Sunday, a day after he allegedly broke into the residence of 31-year-old John Gotti, at 94-19 157th Ave. in Howard Beach on the afternoon of Sunday, June 1, and stealing $3,500 in cash, a luxury wristwatch, a pair of earrings, a wallet and a jewelry box, according to the criminal complaint.

Long Islander who surrendered in Queens Village hit-and-run indicted for murder: DA

A Queens grand jury indicted a Long Island man on charges of murder, manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident, and related crimes for allegedly driving over a pedestrian in Queens Village, who had been struck by another vehicle moments earlier, and dragging him along Hempstead Avenue in December 2023.

Warren Rollins, 49, of Pine Street in Elmont, was arraigned Tuesday in Queens Supreme Court on a four-count indictment that also charged him with criminally negligent homicide. If convicted of the top count of second-degree murder, Rollins faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

St. Albans barber gets 34 years in prison for raping 12- and 16-year-old girls: DA

A St. Albans sexual predator was sentenced to 34 years in prison for raping two young girls, ages 12 and 16, in separate occasions at the same motel in 2022, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Wednesday.

Viando Ricketts, 31, of 200th Street, was convicted by a jury in Queens Supreme Court on March 13 of multiple rape counts, kidnapping, assault, criminal contempt, tampering with a witness and endangering the welfare of a child.