Scranton, Pa., Dec 1, 2008 / 20:06 pm
Bishop of Scranton Joseph F. Martino’s October comments emphasizing the importance of abortion in Catholic voters’ decisions could result in continued national and even international attention focused upon the Pennsylvania bishop, Catholic observer John Allen says.
At a faith and politics forum at St. John’s Catholic Church in the town of Honesdale in October, Bishop Martino made an unscheduled appearance warning against erroneous interpretations of politics-related documents from the U.S. bishops. He also emphasized his own authority as bishop, saying “There is one teacher in this diocese.”
However, news coverage focused upon his remarks about abortion.
“No social issue has caused the death of 50 million people,” he remarked at the forum, noting that he no longer supports the Democratic Party. “This is madness people.”