The Vatican has ordered an investigation of a sexual abuse allegation against a Brooklyn bishop who was previously named by Pope Francis to investigate the church's response to clergy sexual abuse in Buffalo.
The Archdiocese of New York said Cardinal Timothy Dolan received instructions on Jan. 7 to begin an investigation of allegations that Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio molested a child while he was a priest in New Jersey in the mid-1970s. DiMarzio has denied the allegation.
In a statement issued Nov. 13, 2019, DiMarzio talks about an Associated Press reporter asking about the allegation.
"This was my statement ot the AP reporter: 'I am just learning about this allegation. In my nearly 50-year ministry as a priest, I have never engaged in unlawful or inappropriate behavior and I categorically deny this allegation. I am confident I will be fully vindicated.'"
An attorney notified church officials in November that he was preparing a lawsuit on behalf of the alleged victim.
Pope Francis tapped DiMarzio in October to investigate the Buffalo Diocese's response to clergy sexual abuse. That led to Buffalo Bishop Richard Malone stepping down.
