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Bishop of Scranton to step down next week

Comments: 31

Bishop Joseph F. Martino

Scranton, Pa., Aug 28, 2009 / 11:12 am (CNA).- Most Rev. Joseph F. Martino, Bishop of Scranton, will resign as head of the Diocese of Scranton next week, sources within the diocese confirmed to the local press today.

The sources did not explain the reason for the 62-year-old bishop’s decision. The sources also did not specify if the Bishop’s resignation was going to be presented or if it had been already submitted and accepted by the Vatican.

When asked by CNA to confirm Bishop Martino's resignation, diocesan spokesman William Genello said that the diocese will hold a press conference next Monday for media members only.

According to Canon law, a Bishop can present his resignation to the Holy Father for reasons other than the age limit (75), but he remains the head of the diocese until his resignation is accepted.

Speculation about the bishop's future began earlier this week when the local press in Scranton reported that his belongings were being moved from the rectory of St. Peter's Cathedral, to a retreat house in Dalton, Pa.

Joseph Martino was installed as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Scranton in October, 2003, and rapidly became one of the stronger pro-life voices in the U.S. episcopate.

In a pastoral letter issued last year before the presidential election, Bishop Martino wrote, “To begin, laws that protect abortion constitute injustice of the worst kind. They rest on several false claims including that there is no certainty regarding when life begins, that there is no certainty about when a fetus becomes a person, and that some human beings may be killed to advance the interests or convenience of others.”

On February this year, he wrote to Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Bob Casey concerning his vote against the Mexico City Policy, expressing his “deep concern” that the senator’s staff was misrepresenting the vote as "pro-life."

Comments: 31

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Peggy Smith
Bensalem, PA 09/10/2009 07:02 PM EST

Bishop Martino you are in our prayers and hearts. We know of your share in the cross of Christ. We love you! May the peace of Christ be with you! Peggy and Gene Smith, Bensalem, PA

Published by: Norbert Scanlan
Pocono Mts Pa 09/09/2009 10:57 AM EST

Most Rev. Bishop Martino, Your outstanding defence for the innocent, unborn children of God is commendable.

Published by: ORD
Atlanta, GA, USA 08/31/2009 02:20 PM EST

It is fascinating that most of his supporters in these comments are not people living in the diocese of Scranton. Clearly he was playing to his national audience in his grand-standing while neglecting his pastoral duties at home, isolating himself from teachers, priests and the people he was supposed to be shepherding. I know this frmo my many friends and relatives in the area where I grew up.

Published by: Frank
York, PA 08/31/2009 08:20 AM EST

Blessed who are persecuted for doing good, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

Published by: Kenneth James Fry
Placentia, California, USA 08/29/2009 11:50 PM EST

Dear Catholic brothers and sisters of Scranton:

You have driven out a saint.
I pray that Our Lord will continue
to show you his Mercy.

But I fear not.

Please pray many Rosaries in Reparation
for your rebellion

Published by: Anne
Philadelphia 08/29/2009 10:46 PM EST

What a loss to the Diocese of Scranton to have such a courageous defender of the unborn leave. God bless you, Bishop Martino, for your dedication to the Truth and your deep Faith which inspired so many.You did not shrink from doing the right thing. We need leaders like you. May God bless you,dear Bishop, our prayers and best wishes go with you!

Published by: Andrew Francis Guidarelli
Richmond, Virginia 08/29/2009 10:31 PM EST

Dear Bishop Martino,

You are a loyal son of the Church. You have spoken the truth bravely. When you spoke, the faithful heard the voice of a true shepherd who would not abandon his flock to the wolves. Please pray for us Bishop Martino that we may always listen to the voice of Truth and not fear the wolf whose only aim is to steal and to kill the sheep and especially the lambs of the Good Shepard.

Published by: Holly
Danville 08/29/2009 07:04 PM EST

Bishop Martino, may God be with you; I admire and applaud your strong stand for what our Church teaches--you will be rewarded for being a great shepherd.

Published by: Dianne
USA8/29/09 08/29/2009 06:12 PM EST

Bishop Martino, Thank you for your awesome example, as a bishop of our holy Church, namely defending the youngest members of the human family. You are loved and admired. Keep up the good work wherever the Lord leads you!

Published by: Jason McShea
Drexel Hill, PA 08/29/2009 04:54 PM EST

Holy and courageous, are you kidding me? This was the same man who abolished the teachers union therefore asserting his rule over all. This was the same man who distanced himself from the faithful laity and from the priests. This was the same ultra conservative man whose only focus was on abortion and nothing else. He is a rebel bishop and I am thankful to God that he is leaving. He is a disgrace to the church and every seminarian should do an in depth study of this man so they can see the perfect example of what kind of priest they should not be! Good riddance Joe!

Published by: Br. Jakob
Providence 08/29/2009 03:34 PM EST

This man is disturbed... details on whatever scandal he caused will follow.

Mark my words, he did something.

Published by: Paul
Harrisburg, Pa. 08/29/2009 03:26 PM EST

I agree. It is a great loss for Scranton. Bishop Martino is a forceful, straight forward voice within the Church. We need more outspoken leaders like him.

Published by: Maureen
NY USA 08/29/2009 02:34 PM EST

Thanks, Your Excellency, for your courageous witness to the truth. I know its difficult being part of the faithful remnant. I hope and pray I am. Let us pray for the rest of the Church and those who have no fear of God, or courage to fight for the unborn.

Published by: Leonard
Phila. Pa. U.S.A. 08/29/2009 02:20 PM EST

Bishop Martino is a very good and prayerful servant of God. He said what needed to be said and did what had to be done. That will not keep everybody happy! Jesus was crucified for it. Sometimes you just have to move on. Scranton was blest. I pray Bishop Martino will have a blessed future.

Published by: Cooky
NH 08/29/2009 02:17 PM EST

Maybe the bishop in my neigboring state, Maine, will be assigned to Scranton.

Published by: Gumbo
Pa/Fl Usa 08/29/2009 12:38 PM EST

We are crushed to hear this news.
Bishop Martino was forced to have the unpleasant task of closing down our many churches in Scranton area. He is one
of the very few religious who have had
the courage to speak out on abortion, same sex marriage, stem cell research etc. We need more of him in our Church. God Bless and Keep him always.

Published by: Stephanie Zito
NY/NY/USA 08/29/2009 11:16 AM EST

Thankyou Bishop Martino for defending life.I trust God has called you to continue serving him in your journey. God Bless You.

Published by: Dianne
Massachusetts 08/29/2009 09:06 AM EST

May God bless you and guide you in whereever he leads you. I pray for you each day and will continue to do so.
Dianne

Published by: Caroline Niesley
Lansdale/PA/USA 08/28/2009 10:07 PM EST

Excellency, you are one of my heroes and I will continue to pray for you always, wherever God leads you.

Published by: Rose
Pittsburgh Pa USA 08/28/2009 09:10 PM EST

Bishop Martino, if you are being forced to resign for speaking the truth, who is Jesus Christ, you already know that being an apostle of Christ, you will suffer much persecution and He will reward you greatly. May God grant you many Graces, moral courage, strength and perseverance. God Bless You.

Published by: Carol
WI 08/28/2009 08:05 PM EST

There is always a void left when a strong voice in the fight for lifeis gone.

Published by: Kenjiro Shoda
Bala Cynwyd/Pa./USA 08/28/2009 06:19 PM EST

This man was labeled a conservative, but he allowed for all kinds of liturgical abuses in the Mass, and did nothing to stop them.
The rest of the Church fell apart, but all he cared about was abortion. All he talked about was abortion. Abortion, abortion, abortion.

Blah,blah,blah.

Published by: gerry boos
branchville,NJ,USA 08/28/2009 05:55 PM EST

May God continue to bless you for your constant faithfulness to the Magisterium of Holy Mother Church & for the beautiful gift of your Shepherding....Gerry boos

Published by: jane
thomasville, ga, usa 08/28/2009 05:14 PM EST

As I read this little bit concerning the Bishop retiring and also his outspokenness, I am thrilled that someone has spoken out against the evil that has come over our country, our beautiful America. I am saddened for his retirement as well for we need, need, need, more outspoken clergy. Our Catholic walk is getting more and more difficult for us and to see someone "walk the walk, and talk the talk" is so uplifting. Please let the Bishop know that he is in our prayers.

Published by: rita
Houston/Tx/USA 08/28/2009 04:52 PM EST

Satan and his minions appear to have won again. This is a sad day for Christ’s Holy Church. Prayers and blessings, Excellency.

Published by: Kurt and Christie Davison
Shickshinny, pa 08/28/2009 03:26 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

You will be missed. We are so sad to see such a Strong and holy Bishop leaving the Scranton diocese. He has done so much good in such a short period of time. We will be praying for you.

Published by: Karen Loeschorn
Milford, PA 08/28/2009 02:16 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

I am so saddened by the news that our Bishop is stepping down. I have admired all he has done for our diocese, the hard decisions he has made and his dedication to the truth. I will miss Bishop Martino and will keep him in prayer always. God Bless Bishop Martino! Love and prayers, Karen

Published by: Jacqueline Kruger
Florham Park, NJ USA 08/28/2009 01:43 PM EST

Most Reverend Martino,

May the Lord continue to bless you in all of your endeavors. You have been a true leader in the Catholic Church and for this reason you will be sorely missed. You are not afraid to speak the truth! You are loved and highly respected!

May the Lord enlighten your mind, strengthen your body and protect your soul. God bless you, Bishop Martino!

Published by: Charles Johnson
Scranton, PA, USA 08/28/2009 01:14 PM EST

Rate: Regular

Isnt this the same guy whos own people in Scranton collected signatures and petitioned the Vatican to remove him? The same one that told his people about their parish closing via tape recorder? This is not a tremendous loss, its a blessing

Published by: Elizabeth A Powers
Denver CO 08/28/2009 12:32 PM EST

Our prayers accompany you, Bishop Martino,to wherever God leads you.We who also care that human life muat be respected on all levels and not ignored,obliterated or destroyed,thank you for your courageous leadership and strong example. May our loving Creator and Sustainer of life continue to bless and accompany you in all you do.18[

Published by: Christina
USA 08/28/2009 12:11 PM EST

What a tremendous loss this will be for Scranton - and for ALL of us. Bravo, Bishop Martino, we love you!
Charles and Christina

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