Brooklyn Bishop DiMarzio Resigns, New Head Of Diocese Named

BROOKLYN, NY — Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has resigned from his role as leader of the Brooklyn Diocese and a new Bronx-born bishop has been chosen to take his place, the diocese announced this week.

DiMarzio, who was recently cleared by the Vatican of child abuse allegations, submitted his resignation on his 75th birthday in June, as is required by Canon Law, the diocese said. The resignation was accepted Wednesday by Pope Francis.

With the acceptance, the Pope named Robert J. Brennan as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

“On behalf of the Diocese of Brooklyn, I welcome Bishop Brennan who 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," DiMarzio said in a press release. "It has truly been an honor to serve as Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn for 18 years."

DiMarzio has served as the bishop of the Brooklyn diocese since 2003.

An investigation into allegations against him from his time in New Jersey in the 1970s, launched in early 2020, made headlines given that DiMarzio had headed efforts to help victims of sexual abuse by clergy members and recently spearheaded an investigation into how the Buffalo diocese handled abuse cases at the time he was accused.

The Vatican ultimately found the allegations that DiMarzio had committed acts of sex abuse against minors "not to have the semblance of truth," the archdiocese said earlier this month.

Brennan, 59, most recently served as the Bishop of Columbus and has been an Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Rockville Center. He was born int he Bronx and grew up in Lindenhurst, Long Island, according to the diocese.

His appointment with the Diocese of Brooklyn will be celebrated on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Brooklyn, the diocese said.