An independent investigation ordered by the Vatican cleared Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of sexually abusing two young boys while working in a New Jersey parish nearly a half-century ago, officials announced Wednesday.
The probe, conducted by a one-time federal prosecutor and a company headed by former FBI Director Louis Freeh, found the charges “not to have the semblance of truth,” according to a statement from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The decision was announced by Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York, who was authorized by the Vatican to launch the investigation.
DiMarzio denied the charges from the outset after he was accused of abusing the youths while working in Jersey City in the mid-1970s. He also discussed the charges with Pope Francis.
Continue reading at New York Daily News