NEW YORK – Brooklyn Diocese Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio is resigning, the diocese’s newspaper said Wednesday, just weeks after a Vatican investigation cleared him of sexual abuse allegations.
Pope Francis accepted DiMarzio's resignation and named 59-year-old Bishop Robert Brennan, a Bronx native who is Bishop of Columbus, to be the eighth Bishop of Brooklyn, according to The Tablet.
DiMarzio, 77, has been Bishop of Brooklyn since 2003. All Bishops are required to submit their resignations at age 75, according to The Tablet.
“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,” DiMarzio said in a statement. “On behalf of the Diocese of Brooklyn, I welcome Bishop Brennan, whom I have known for many years, with confidence in his ability to lead our Catholic community and build upon the pastoral achievements we have made. It has truly been an honor to serve as Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn for 18 years.”
Cardinal Timothy Dolan commented on the changes in a statement Wednesday morning.
"It is a joy to 'welcome home' Bishop Robert Brennan, as he returns to the Province of New York to serve as the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn. During my over 12 years as Archbishop of New York, I have come to know him as a fine priest and bishop, a warm individual, and a good friend. As Bishop of Columbus, and before that as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Center, he has shown himself to be not only a capable administrator, but also a true pastor, with a deep love of God's people," Dolan said.
He added, "A sincere and prayerful word of gratitude to Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, for his 18 years as Bishop of Brooklyn, guiding that diocese with zeal and dedication. He has been a trusted and valued collaborator, as we worked together on issues affecting the Church, particularly here in the City of New York which our two dioceses share. It is good to know that he will continue to be a source of wisdom and insight for both Bishop Brennan and me."
Earlier this month, the Vatican exonerated DiMarzio after two men accused him of sexually abusing them a half-century ago when he was a priest in New Jersey.
DiMarzio denied the accusations made by his accusers, both of whom have filed civil claims against him.
The accusers' lawyer, Mitchell Garabedian, has said the two men would both press forward with the civil cases.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.