Pocono News Section

Catholic School Parents Sound Off on Bishop's Resignation

Catholic School Parents Sound Off on Bishop's Resignation - Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at 5:50PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Tuesday, Sep 1, 2009 @ 05:50pm EST
Parents of Catholic school students hope for a smooth transition after a bishop's resignation.

Scranton Diocese Bishop Joseph Martino resigned Monday. Under his watch several catholic schools closed and consolidated. "I can't say that I was saddened. There's been a lot going on this last year and it's been a lot of stress on the students and e families as well," said Marylin.

Marylin's child is a junior at Holy Redeemer. She's seen four Catholic schools consolidate into Redeemer under retired bishop Martino.

In recent years, Scranton Diocesan schools enrollment has dropped, while it's debt has increased. Susan Kopicki saw Martino's resignation coming. "I'm sorry for the troubles that he's gone through. Certainly he was not put in an easy situation. I'm sure things will move forward," said Kopicki.

The Diocese will move forward with new leadership. The Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers hopes that means a fresh start.

The association was at odds with Martino. He refused to recognize the association as a union. If it were recognized, teachers would be protected under state labor laws. "We're still waiting to find out why it is that he took the action that he did. So are we happy that he's gone, yes. Are we looking forward to who follows? Absolutely," said Mike Milz of the Teachers Association.

It could take at least six months to find out who follows Martino. St. Aloysius in Wilkes-Barre and Saints Peter and Paul in Plains closed this year.

Martino gave no indication that more schools closures would follow his resignation.