RNS) A Pennsylvania Catholic bishop whose public scoldings of politicians — including Vice President Joe Biden — created a stir nationwide resigned on Monday (Aug. 31), citing stress and lack of confidence in his leadership.
Bishop Joseph Martino was appointed in 2003 to head the Diocese of Scranton, a heavily Catholic corner of northeastern Pennsylvania. His relatively brief tenure was marked by battles with local parishes, a teachers union, college administrators and a number of politicians, particularly over abortion rights.
“For some time now there has not been a clear consensus among clergy or lay people regarding my leadership style,” Martino said Monday at a press conference. The Vatican appointed Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia, as temporary head of the Scranton diocese, which encompasses about 350,000 Catholics in 11 counties.
At 63, Martino resigned well before the Vatican’s mandatory retirement age of 75. A statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said Martino was retiring for “health reasons.” The bishop said he is “certainly not prostrate with illness,” but the stress of running the diocese had led to insomnia and “crippling physical fatigue.”
“I think stress has always affected me and members of my family in a very bad way,” Martino said.
The bishop burst into the national scene during the 2008 presidential campaign, when he frequently criticized Catholics — including fellow bishops — who suggested that abortion was only one of many issues by which to assess candidates.
Shortly after the election last November, Martino stood on the floor of the bishops’ meeting in Baltimore and pledged to withhold Communion from Biden, who was raised in Scranton, because he supports abortion rights.
Martino later issued similar threats to Sen. Robert Casey, D-Pa., after he voted to confirm Kathleen Sebelius, who supports abortion rights, to head the Department of Health and Human Services.
Martino also warned Scranton politicians that he would close the diocese’s cathedral on St. Patrick’s Day if they honored any politicians who support abortion rights; he tried to shut down a local Catholic college’s diversity program after it hosted a gay rights advocate; and he refused to recognize a local Catholic teachers union. He also presided over mass consolidations of schools and parishes, many of which were contentious.
“By the world’s standards, perhaps I have not been successful,”
Martino said Monday. “But I have been faithful.”
By Daniel Burke
Copyright 2009 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
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posted August 31, 2009 at 6:39 pm
He obviously was doing a really lousy job and had no choice. Doubt he will be missed by anyone…
posted August 31, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Pagan–As usual a flippant response from an ignoramus.
posted August 31, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Being at war with so many has worn him out. He needs an unbiased professional to work with him. In his understanding the world is wrong in every thing because they don’t think and do what he teaches is right.
posted August 31, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Although not Catholic I am sorry to see this man retire. He is a rare man that did NOT let political correctness cloud his judgement. It appears that most people would rather accept a boatload of lies instead of the truth. We have become a country of luke warm people. Ready to accept anything instead of stating our convictions. Like some of the comments I have read, one especially from someone that obviously has no idea what or whom she is talking about. Not knowing anything just doesn’t seem to matter anymore. We have become a nation of robotic imbeciles led around like a bunch of bulls with rings in our noses for fear of public opinion. That is paramount to slavery. People are chastised when they speak the truth these days. WHY would anyone rather live in fear than in truth? A very sinister thing indeed. I seriously fear for our future.
posted August 31, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Killsing, your sad, dark impressions of our society is what causes fear in people who think as you do. Don’t be so sure that ones who are optimistic and have faith differently than you have are being led around with rings in their noses. Our nation is not one of robotic imbeciles because they don’t agree with you. Look outside and thank God for the world he has given us, and all the good things around us.
posted August 31, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Your Name:
You wasted your time with your childish response. I write what I feel, and certainly don’t need your approval.
You all have a good night now, ya hear?
posted August 31, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Your Name,
This is not the palce for childish insults or nameless tirades. Grow up and own up to words.
It is clear to folks in and out of the RCC that Martino is not someone who plays well with others. His “my way or the highway” attitude does not foster personal growth or community improvements, something the RCC needs right now. I think he may do better in some administrative beauracratic position in a heirarchical institution that does not deal with actual people. It’s not so much that people won’t miss him, but I expect more than a few have been glad to donate packing boxes to his moving effort.
posted September 1, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Henrietta22 – How do you know the shepherd is not right, and “the world” is in fact wrong?
Killsing – I did not read your comments as “all inclusive” however broadly you seem to have painted. Keep it up.
Luckily I missed “Your Name:” postings, apparently.
Bishop Martino was here to be true to, and to bear witness to, his Faith – he was not here for a popularity contest. Could he have done so without stepping on as many toes? I am sure. Should he have? Who knows. I love my Bishop but I would love for Bishop Martino to be in my diocese, is all I know.
Peace.
posted September 1, 2009 at 7:24 pm
MS or Killsing, I don’t understand what your question means. Clarify?
posted September 4, 2009 at 7:09 pm
good riddance to Martino.
he learned the hard way that we do not live in a theocracy.