WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop Joseph F. Martino, 63, from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Scranton, Pa., for health reasons.
He has appointed Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia to be apostolic administrator for the diocese.
Cardinal Rigali named Msgr. Joseph C. Bambera, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Archbald and St. Mary of Czestochowa Parish in Eynon, as his delegate for day-to-day administration of the diocese.
At a news conference in Scranton Aug. 31, Bishop Martino said he had been experiencing insomnia, “crippling physical fatigue” and frequent bouts of the flu brought on by the stress of his work as bishop.
“As the song says, you have to know when to hold them and when to fold them, and I think it is time for me to move on,” he said, adding that he felt he left the Diocese of Scranton “a little leaner, with greater energy to do the work of God more efficiently and more effectively.”
Bishop Martino, who served for six years in Scranton, oversaw the “Called to Holiness and Mission” pastoral planning process that led to the scheduled closing of more than 100 parishes and schools in the Scranton Diocese between 2007 and 2012.
Members of some of those parishes have appealed the closures to the Vatican.
At the news conference, Bishop Martino asked forgiveness from “anyone I have not adequately served as bishop.” He said he planned to remain in the Scranton Diocese but would not participate in confirmations or other public events, at least initially, in order not to overshadow the work of Cardinal Rigali, Msgr. Bambera and the new bishop of the diocese when he is appointed.
Asked what he thought his national impact might have been, especially his strong support of the sanctity of life, Bishop Martino said he “never had a desire to attract any following” and had only done “what I was supposed to do.” But he said he had received many letters from pro-life Catholics who had been encouraged by things he had said.
“Pro-life people are sometimes seen as pesky, but they are very dear to the Lord, and bishops should encourage them,” he said. “Not the radical fringe — all groups have the radical fringe — but those in the mainstream.”
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