Pocono News Section

Martino, Dougherty Officially Announce Resignations

Martino, Dougherty Officially Announce Resignations - Monday, August 31, 2009 at 1:00PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Monday, Aug 31, 2009 @ 01:00pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- After only 6 years as head of the Diocese of Scranton, Bishop Joseph Martino is stepping down. The Vatican officially accepted his resignation and the official announcement was made at a 10:00 A. M. news conference.

This brings months of rumors to an end. Martino said this morning that he actually submitted his resignation on June 12th and it was officially accepted by Pope Benedict around July 30th.

Today's announcement makes Martino's term the second shortest in diocesan history. Though brief, his tenure was filled with change and controversy. He shut down dozens of Catholic schools and re-structured churches, closing many. He fought a teachers' union and publicly blasted local Catholic universities.

For all the challenges, it’s his health that Martino says is behind his resignation. He said in the news conference, ”Scranton needs a bishop that is physically vigorous and I am no longer that.”

Also stepping down today is Auxiliary Bishop John Dougherty. He's past the age of retirement of 75.

Cardinal Justin Rigali of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was present at the news conference along with Bishop Martino and Auxiliary Bishop Dougherty.

Martino spoke first. He talked about his being named the 9th Bishop of Scranton in July of 2003 and was installed on October 1st. In 2004 he says that he felt something had to be done about “financial bleeding” of the diocese which he attributed to the number of schools and churches.

In announcing his retirement Martino did ask for forgiveness for those in the diocese who felt he did not serve them well because of what he called, “human limitations.”

Martino says he has no immediate plans for retirement but does want to help in the diocese where possible.

Cardinal Rigali then announced that he will act as Apostolic Administrator, overseeing the 350,000 Catholics in the Scranton Diocese.

The Cardinal says he is aware of the ongoing restructuring process in the diocese and appointed a special assistant to help with the many details of that process. Rigali added, “Change is always difficult to embrace, but life goes on. In the church, life always goes on.”

He also named a number of other priests within the diocese as special assistants. They will be led by Msgr. Joseph Bambera, who is at St. Thomas and St. Mary's in Archbald.

Eyewitness News I-Team reporter Joe Holden asked Cardinal Rigali if there is a timetable on naming a replacement. The Cardinal replied the process would happen “as quickly as possible… I hope within 6 months.”

The Cardinal said because of his responsibilities he will not be able to physically be in the diocese as much as he wants, but does plan on attending this weekend’s La Festa Italiana in downtown Scranton. Bambera will oversee the day to day operations of the diocese.

Just hours before the Diocese of Scranton was set to officially confirm the resignations of two of its top Catholic leaders, the following message appeared in Italian in the Vatican's daily news briefing:

"Il Santo Padre ha accettato la rinuncia al governo pastorale della diocesi di Scranton (U. S.A.), presentata da S. E. Mons. Joseph Francis Martino, in conformità al canone 401 § 2 del Codice di Diritto Canonico."

Loosely translated, the Pope, according to the message, has accepted the resignation of Bishop Joseph Martino, of the Diocese of Scranton.

A similar message appeared concerning Auxiliary Bishop John Dougherty.