New York Catholic principal linked to white supremacist group — UPDATED

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:40 pm by Deacon Greg Kandra

New York Catholic principal linked to white supremacist group — UPDATED 2016-09-30T17:40:12-04:00 Deacon Greg Kandra

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After reports surfaced about him, the Archdiocese has launched an investigation. And yesterday, a mass at the man’s parish was disrupted by a protestor, according to the New York Daily News:

Shock over an outspoken Catholic school principal’s ties to a white supremacist group turned ugly during Sunday Mass at a Bronx church.

Cops were called to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Fordham after a church-goer interrupted the service to call for the removal of Frank Borzellieri as principal of the parish school.

“I wanted them to feel my sense of outrage that he was brought into the community to teach,” said Juan Varela, 54, who was arrested yesterday on disorderly conduct and weapons possession charges and spent seven hours in police custody.

Varela, who is Catholic but lives in Queens, said he sat in a pew during the 10 a.m. Mass. At one point he stood up, walked to the altar, faced parishioners and began railing against Borzellieri.

“This church hired a racist. This church does not like Hispanics and blacks,” one police source quoted Varela as saying.

Cops said he initially refused to leave, but finally complied. He said he was kicked from behind by ushers at the back of the church as he tried to exit.

He was picked up by police about two blocks away. Varela was charged with criminal possession of a weapon – a knife – and disorderly conduct, cops said.

The News revealed Sunday that Borzellieri, 48, was quietly hired two years ago as principal of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School despite his controversial writings. In his 2004 book – “Don’t Take it Personally: Race, Immigration, Crime and Other Heresies” – Borzellieri declared “diversity is a weakness” and that America‘s rising black and Hispanic populations will lead to a “New Dark Age.” He has also written for the white supremacist publication American Renaissance.

There’s more at the link.

Meantime, the Archdiocese of New York says it’s looking into the principal’s writings. And a local website has posted some excerpts from his book.

UPDATE: The principal on Tuesday was fired. Details.

Ripped from the headlines

Archdiocese of New York

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