The bishop’s threat was almost incomprehensible. In this heavily Roman Catholic city, where tens of thousands of people pack downtown for the annual St. Patrick’s parade, Mass would be canceled that day if organizers honored an abortion-rights supporter.The warning – seen by some as a reference to Vice President Joe Biden, a native son – was the latest in a series of tough stands by Bishop Joseph Martino, who is establishing himself as one of the most outspoken defenders of Catholic orthodoxy in the United States.
Supporters say he is simply enforcing church teachings to counter “cafeteria Catholics,” who pick and choose which beliefs to embrace. His critics call him a reclusive prelate who issues edicts from on high, rarely interacting with his flock.
“He’s a feisty guy. He’s got his views and he lets them be known,” said David Gibson, a former Vatican radio journalist and the author of two books on Catholicism.
“I don’t think he cares about winning any popularity contests – that’s not in the equation for him. He just wants to do what is right for the people of his diocese.”
“I don’t think he cares about winning any popularity contests – that’s not in the equation for him. He just wants to do what is right for the people of his diocese.”
The showdown over Saturday’s pre-parade Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral started with a letter to organizers last month. In it, Martino said he would temporarily close the church if the event “should honor pro-abortion officials and the Catholic Church is seen to be involved in this honoring.” The Vatican considers abortion an “unspeakable crime.”
The honorees, who include Biden’s sister and mother, apparently passed muster, because Martino decreed last week that Mass would be held as usual. But the controversy surrounding Martino himself is far from over, as evidenced by the vigorous debates on local editorial pages and talk radio.
Saturday’s Mass will go on as scheduled. Biden was not chosen as an honoree, but the Society of Irish Women – one of three groups organizing the parade – is honoring his sister and mother at a dinner Tuesday.
The bishop declined to be interviewed by The Associated Press.
Martino, a 62-year-old Philadelphia native, came to Scranton in 2003 to replace retiring Bishop James Timlin in overseeing a diocese that serves about 350,000 parishioners in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Since then, he has directed priests to deny Holy Communion to public officials who support abortion rights. He interrupted a parish forum on last fall’s election to say opposition to abortion was by far the most important issue to consider when voting.
Martino also blasted the Diversity Institute at Misericordia University, founded by the Sisters of Mercy, for sponsoring lectures by a gay-rights advocate last month.
Calling the speaker’s beliefs “disturbingly opposed to Catholic moral teaching,” Martino demanded the school disband the institute and disclose the names and content of classes that purport to teach Catholic sexual morality.
Calling the speaker’s beliefs “disturbingly opposed to Catholic moral teaching,” Martino demanded the school disband the institute and disclose the names and content of classes that purport to teach Catholic sexual morality.
“It is not only my right, but my obligation to ensure that authentic Catholic teaching is being provided in all Catholic institutions in this Diocese, and that viewpoints in opposition to this teaching are not being presented as acceptable alternatives,” Martino wrote in a statement.
Misericordia said it is committed to both its Catholic mission and its academic mission of exploring ideas freely. School officials are trying to meet with the bishop to resolve the issue, said university spokesperson Jim Roberts.
Martino has also released letters harshly critical of U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a parishioner and longtime foe of abortion rights. In them, he chastises the Democratic lawmaker for opposing family-planning legislation the church backed.
His supporters insist Martino is simply enforcing church teachings.
“He believes that people who call themselves Christians or Catholics have a moral obligation to live their faith. All he is asking them to do is to practice what they preach,” said Gary Cangemi, 54, of Scranton, the vice chair of the local chapter of the anti-abortion group Pennsylvanians for Human Life. “He is setting a great example.”
Yet critics claim Martino, unlike his predecessor, is hardly pastoral and rarely seen.
Michael Milz, president of the local teachers’ union for parochial schools, accuses Martino of ignoring Catholic social teaching on workers’ rights.
The bishop has refused to recognize the union.
The bishop has refused to recognize the union.
Upon learning that union members planned to march in Saturday’s parade, Martino again threatened to cancel Mass.
“He doesn’t speak to anyone. He issues press releases,” said Milz.
“He has a 15th-century mentality.”
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Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce
(Source: GLT)
“He has a 15th-century mentality.”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce
(Source: GLT)