New York bishop accused of sex abuse

Cardinal Timothy Dolan made the announcement this morning:

Dear Member of the Family of the Archdiocese of New York:

I regret once again having to be the bearer of bad news, but I write to inform you that the archdiocese has received an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor brought against Bishop John Jenik, an auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese.

The  Lay Review Board has carefully examined the allegation, which concerns incidents from decades ago, and concluded that the evidence is sufficient to find the allegation credible and substantiated. Although Bishop Jenik continues to deny the allegation, he has stepped aside from public ministry and has moved out of his parish.

For additional information, please see my letter to Bishop Jenik’s parishioners, along with a letter from Bishop Jenik, below.

Please keep all those whose lives have been touched by the crime and sin of sexual abuse in your prayers.

Jenik’s letter:

Bishop Jenik’s biography, from the Archdiocese of New York website:

The Most Reverend John Jenik was born to John and Helen (Kelly) Jenik in Manhattan, New York on March 7, 1944.

He attended Immaculate Conception Elementary School and Cathedral College High School, both in Manhattan. In 1962, he entered Cathedral College and, in 1964, the archdiocese’s major theologate, St. Joseph’s Seminary, in Yonkers, New York, during which time he earned a bachelor of arts (BA) degree.

Bishop Jenik was ordained a priest by Cardinal Terence Cooke in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on May 30, 1970. In June, Cardinal Cooke appointed him to the Catholic University of Ponce, Puerto Rico for the summer months to learn the Spanish language and culture. That September, Cardinal Cooke appointed him as parochial vicar for St. Jerome’s Parish in Bronx, New York. In 1974, Cardinal Cooke reassigned Bishop Jenik to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, also in the Bronx, where he soon became involved in what has become a near forty-year dedication to providing housing for the poor and fighting crime, corruption, drugs, and prostitution.

In 1974, Bishop Jenik earned a masters degree in education (M.Ed.) from Fordham University, at the Rose Hill (Bronx) campus.

Cardinal Cooke, in 1978, appointed Bishop Jenik as parochial vicar for Our Lady of Refuge Parish in Bronx, New York. Seven years later, in 1985, he was appointed pastor of the parish by Cardinal John O’Connor, where he still serves.

Ten years after his appointment as pastor of Our Lady of Refuge, Monsignor Jenik was appointed a prelate of honor to His Holiness.

In 2006, Cardinal Egan named him vicar for the Northwest Bronx, and he continues to serve in this position.

Throughout his priesthood, and at various times, Bishop Jenik has been elected to the presbyteral council; has been appointed to the college of consultors; and has been named to a number of special archdiocesan committees, including education, healthcare, and housing. Monsignor Jenik was instrumental in the work of the committee for regionalizing Catholic schools in the archdiocese in order to preserve and strengthen its school system.