Controversial Pennsylvania bishop resigns

Paulson outdid himself again with this piece of tabloid journalism. Have you ever thought of checking the fact first or is that just too much work in your constant attacks against the church?

"Vatican newspaper's relatively warm tone toward President Obama" - First that newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, does not speak officially for the Vatican. To imply otherwise is a lie. That newspaper was critizied from inside and outside the Vatican for that piece on Obama.

"the fact that Pope Benedict XVI responded to a plea for prayers from the dying senator with a note expressing "spiritual closeness" and bestowing an apostolic blessing." - Would you rather the Pope told Kennedy to go to hell? The purpose of that statement was to provide a measure of comfort and prayer to Kennedy during his suffering. In no way did the Pope imply that the Church was softening its stance on any issues. Again, to imply otherwise is a lie.

"but his auxiliary bishop also quit" - This auxilliary bishop was 77 years old. Two years past the mandatory retirement age. He was also one of the oldest serving prelates in the United States. There was no secret purge. It was his time to retire. Again another blatant attempt at misinformation by Paulson and his tabloid blog.

Finally, Paulson quoted that obviously left leaning blog's story about Martino. The blog stated:

"Martino showed up at the parish hall unannounced, causing a stir. Then he took the microphone and proceeded to critique the organizers for not using his own letter on abortion as the basis of the discussion.
When a nun at the forum reminded Martino about the document of the entire bishops conference Martino responded: "No USCCB document is relevant in this diocese. The USCCB doesn't speak for me. The only relevant document ... is my letter. There is one teacher in this diocese, and these points are not debatable.""

What neither Paulson or that other blog can't seem to get straight is that the USCCB has no real authority in any diocese or the Church. Each bishop as the final word in thier respective diocese. They answer to the Pope not a bureaucratic organization like the USCCB. Bishop Martino was absolutely correct in attending and telling that nun that the only letter that mattered was his. By quoting that blog, Paulson is apparently trying to portray Martino as a crazed renegade bishop and sensationalize the divide in the Church.

Bishop Martino was a good bishop who tried to defend the truth from cafeteria Catholics and the liberal media. He will be missed. May God bless him.

Matthias, I´m with you. AMEN AND AMEN.

"There is one teacher in this diocese, and these points are not debatable.""

Martino is a nut case of biblical proportions. He is the only teacher in the diocese, I think not. According to catholic religious doctorine all priests are teachers as well. The Vatican had to get rid of him, he is an embarassment to the church.

As for Kennedy, you are so dead wrong. The fact he even got a letter was a miricale. They are not softening their stance, but are softening their tone. Civil Debate instead of crazy screaming of the insane, diseased mind is always more productive.

Also on Kennedy, the man fought for almost all of the principals of Christian/Catholic teaching. Fought for the poor, children, women, the disabled, to stop war. You are only mad at his decision to let women have the choice over their very own bodies. If you had half a brain you would see the man was 10 times the Catholic you would ever be. He gave choice to women to do as they will with their own body, after that they decided what to do.

Maybe if you got on board with safe sex teaching instead of just bashing pro choice there would be less abortion in this world. You can not put the genie back in the bottle when it has already been unleashed.

"the cardinal brought in to restore some order"
=>The cardinal was brought in to run the diocese until a successor was named, not to "restore some order." Somebody has to be in charge, and Card. Rigali is a tough orthodox bishop.

""Martino became for many the angry face of the anti-Obama wing of the Catholic hierarchy thanks to his intemperate blasts about pro-choice politicians and an overweening administrative style that irritated the flock and even his brother bishops.""
=>The reason for that is that for too long progressivism ruled the roost in this country. With the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI, this fad is being put to a halt. However, the progressive Catholics who destroyed the Church for upwards of 35 years are not going down without dragging their feet and screaming, hence the "controversy" as you call it.

"but for those inclined to see a push toward more civil dialogue"
=>A bishop has a job to do, and that is to protect the faith and see it is properly taught in his diocese. The Church is not concerned with dialogue and comprise. It's not a democracy, it's religion, and we're not going to change what we believe to accommodate any one group. This resignation has nothing to do with a push toward dialogue.

"Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan, the respected archbishop of Santa Fe, suggested that most bishops were not on board with the heated denunciations of Notre Dame earlier this year for choosing Obama as its commencement speaker." Hysterical activity doesn’t bear fruit, and there’s been some hysteria in these areas,'' Sheehan told the National Catholic Reporter."
=>You're quoting a bishop who gave an interview to the National Catholic Reporter, so that should tell you clearly that this bishop is a progressive, and one of the few who would actually sit down with the NCR (the other being the Rochester bishop). While most did not speak up about the Notre Dame scandal, very many did (around 1/3 or more?). The silence of others does not necessarily indicate that they support Obama's visit, but rather demonstrate that they are weak prelates, or afraid to jump into national issues concerned only with issues in their own diocese.

""His resignation may be further evidence that the U.S. hierarchy is divided between moderate voices and a more strident conservative minority that is struggling in the wake of Obama's success with Catholic voters.""
=>"Moderate" and "Conservative"? More like "Liberal" and "Conservative". I find it difficult to call the opposite of the traditional bishops the moderates. Again, this divide has to do with two different eras of leadership. The "Spirit of Vatican II" leaders, appointed up until the 90s, are on their way out and grumbling, while the newer orthodox leaders are growing in number with each and every appointment.

""Martino often seemed out of control, if not off his meds. ...While no one would say that a strong liberal wing is blowing from Rome, there seems little question that the message for the day is moderazione.""
=>Thanks a lot for suggesting the guy is a nutcase, real professional. There is no push for moving to the middle, as I said, more and more bishops will be appointed who are conservative, and you'll notice the change over the next 3 or so years.

The strident voices of the conservative minority including Martino are much too loud while the supposedly more moderate voice of the majority is too polite, according to Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan, to speak up against either the "heated denunciations of Notre Dame earlier this year for choosing Obama as its commencement speaker," or for some bishops' ordering priests in their dioceses to refuse to give Holy Communion to individuals or another bishop in New York threatening to close parishes in the districts of New York legislators supporting the Markey-Duane child abuse bill. The list goes on. It's too bad the silent majority of bishops has been totally emasculated.

Thank God the seditious ramblings and bullying of Martino have been called to account, for now at least. We can only pray that similar good fortune will come to Wisconsin, where Bishop Morlino is terrorizing moderate priests, firing popular church workers and driving away many of the faithful.The ultraconservatives are increasingly strident and out of touch.

Dozens and dozens of bishops ignored and concealed child sex crimes (both suspected and known). With only one exception (Cardinal Law), none experienced even a slap on the hand by the Vatican.

However, if a bishop runs afoul of the Vatican's political maneuvering, that's apparently a different story.

Such priorities!

Will you folks give Michael a break? He's reporting the news, not commenting on it.

PS - Even though we're not exactly an evangelical clan, you might find yourselves a bit more relaxed if you joined my team, the Unitarians. We get uptight over social injustice, and real stuff, like clergy abuse of parishioners, not an artificial thing like church hierarchy (which of course was based on those dastardly pagan Romans!).

Nice pink hat

"Gibson's conclusion about the Martino matter: 'His resignation may be further evidence that the U.S. hierarchy is divided between moderate and a more strident consevative minority that is struggling...' "

Oh now, those who embrace heretical teachings have earned the honor of being called "moderate", while those who uphold Catholic Teaching and Tradition have been relegated to the catagory of "strident conservative," which label is proported to be equal to a four letter derogatory word.

Paulson: I think it's time you dig beneath the surface of the veneer of some of the hierarchy and their media outlets, which you so obviously champion; please at least try to honest.

Bishop Joseph F. Martino: Thank you for upholding Catholic Doctrine in the face of rampant warm, fuzzy, luke warmness.

We need more Bishops like Martino who have the guts to defend the Catholic church's teachings. Father Jenkins, the President of Notre Dame, should be ashamed for honoring Obama the way he did. But what it really did was show how the democrats are trying to side with Priests who openly disobey their Bishop (John D'Arcy) to try to scatter the faithful and put a wedge within the Catholic Church. It's no secret that the Democrats would love nothing other than to have a government take-over of the Catholic church so they can demand all homilies be the voice of CNN, CBS, ABC and NBC. Just look at Nancy Pelosi who stated that the Catholic Church has had no consensus on Abortion throughout it's history, which is an outright lie. Another example of spinning things to suite the Pro-Abortion argument. The Democrats are trying real hard to disguise their real intentions of ramming Abortion, euthanasia and end of life counseling for seniors into their so-called "Health-Care" reform Bill. But I am hopeful that once Catholics get the truth of whats included in the bill, they will abandon Obama and the Democratic party in droves and that Bishop Martino will look like a prophet. I will be moving to Pennsylvania next year and I guarantee you that I will add my voice to the Bishop Martino's of the church to fight for Life and stop the culture of Death. 2010 and 2012 election years are looking very good now for Republicans and Pro-Life candidates.

I think these churches should have their tax-free status taken away. They are breaking the law.

more yellow journalism

Matthias,

Too bad the anti-catholic Globe doesn't have a reporter like yourself that actually knows what you are talking about. I'm saddened that Bishop Martino stepped down. He was very courageous at the time of the elections to point out that Barack O'Bummer's baby killing agenda was not compatible with the Catholic faith. Unfortunetely, ill formed catholics that are influenced by the liberal media and bad pastors ignore the catholic doctrine and end up siding with the liberals.

Larry writes: "2010 and 2012 election years are looking very good now for Republicans and Pro-Life candidates."

And which flavor Kool-Aid are you drinking this month?

Hey hrh,

Maybe this is the Kool-Aid that we are drinking http://www.startribune.com/local/56577032.html . You liberals are so out-of-touch with the reality and brain washed that you don't even bother to find out what is happening around you. 01.20.201 THE END OF AN ERROR!

Less is more by many. Less money, fewer churches, less attendance on Sunday, The list goes on and yet some of you believe if Christ were to return to earth he would be a Catholic just like you.

The strident conservative voices (both in the hierarchy and laypeople) who claim that they are the only "true" Catholics and throw out every church teaching except anti-abortion* are the same faction that gave us the Inquisition, Francisco Franco and Pinochet.

*I say anti-abortion rather than pro-life because they ignore the rest of the Social Justice teaching regarding pro-life, including opposition to the death penalty etc. But then that would conflict with their Cheneyesque Republican philosophy!

I guess it couldn't be "PINK" coolade since you Liberals have cornered the market. Just remember the Truth wins out....that's why the Catholic church has been around for 2000 years and has survived every form of evil thrust upon it. Just look how the church is flourishing in the old Soviet Union. I hardly think anyone will remember Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Al Gore in 2000 years and I believe history will not be kind to the Liberal Democrats as our great great grandparents lament on how they liked a smoke and a brownie with their coolade as they led women astray at the local Planned Parenthood. Oh, I forgot, they didn't inhale.....He did not have sexual relations with that woman....He invented the internet? Get real!

May God bless Your Excellency - you have been a good and faithful servant.

Matthias - you are dead on with your comments.

Reindeergirl. I'm glad the UU's do it for you, but I'm sorry I can't hang my hat with an organization whose only credo is to "believe in the belief of believing." There is such a thing as ultimate truth, which is accessible to all and is not just a matter of opinion.

I won't weigh in on Martino since I don't know enough about the man, but I hope all of you who have raked him over the coals will spare a prayer or two for him as well.

The comments on this article entertained me for about 10 minutes. Both pro and con, they are indicative of the hate that exists between "moderates" and "conservatives." At least the people who were not afraid to sign their real names are honest, and they are appreciated.

Carry on! The church is not going to change, but certainly the in-fighting is a sign that she may one day drown in quicksand of her own making.

Why do people freak out when someone wants to discuss and debate church doctrine? That's not heresy, that's the sign of a living, breathing, thinking church. I pity anyone who has the gall to state flatly that they know exactly what God meant to say. Plenty of faiths have open debate about the teachings of their holy books, and they haven't collapsed or disintegrated. Look at Judaism. There are rabbis who entire careers have been devoted to discussing and debating the talmud. And that faith has survived a lot longer that the Catholic church. Jesus kept an open mind about things, why can;t any of you?

Larry, I appreciate your point of view but in the grand scheme of transgressions, most people would consider inhaling marijuana, having an affair, and creating the Internet less "offensive" every day of the week. I'm not suggesting that either political party is untainted; rather, I'm suggesting that the Catholic Church has perpetrated more than its fair share of barbarism against humanity. (Among others, The Crusades and various inquisitions come to mind.)

Larry (#19),

There's a religion - or a thousand - that's survived more than 2,000 years. For starters, Catholicism's mother religion.

Zipporah Reinking

I had a nun who yelled at class that voting for a Republican is a mortal sin. Clergy need to keep out of politics and we need a clearer separation of church and state

In reading oscarbozachtoo’s comments, he stated that “he (Kennedy) fought for almost all of the principals of Christian/Catholic teaching. Fought for the poor, children, women, the disabled, to stop war.” I’m sorry. Are we talking about the same Senator Edward Kennedy that ran off the bridge at Chappaquiddick and was responsible for the death of Mary Jo Kopechne. As I heard tell, Ted failed to report the accident for 10 hours because he was praying at the site of the accident; or is this the same Ted Kennedy, who, up until the 1970 was a pro-life supporter until he met up with the likes of Fr. Charles Curran, Richard McCormick, Albert Jonsen, Robert Brinan, Joseph Fuchs and Giles Milhaven, all dissenter on Catholic ethics and morals and became pro-abortion.

Sixty years ago the world convicted and executed the associates of Hermann Goring, Rudolf Hess and others for their atrocities that were perpetrated on mankind during WWII. At the time, the world thought we’d never see the likes of them again. Low and behold, death raised its ugly head and in 1973 the circle of death via Roe v Wade descended on the world. Today 4,000 unborn children perish daily. In 1973, 744,000 abortions were performed. Today 1.3 million abortions occur and the overwhelming majority, (95%), are done as a means of birth control and Ted supported that.

If you want to do some light reading, may I suggest a sermon by St Leonard of Port Maurice, entitled, “The Little Number of Those Who are Saved.” I would never cast doubt anyone’s salvation other than my own and for that I do in fear and trembling. I thank God daily for His abounding Mercy, still, I’d hate to be on the receiving end of the conversation between the Lord and Ted as he stands there waiting to be judged.

M. Duran

"I'm suggesting that the Catholic Church has perpetrated more than its fair share of barbarism against humanity. (Among others, The Crusades and various inquisitions come to mind.)"

Wow, you really pointed out some recent examples...

"Jesus kept an open mind about things, why can;t any of you?"

That's a filthy lie, Jesus is God, he knows what's right and wrong, he did not change his beliefs to satisfy liberals.

Both sides are missing the point. Bishop Martino was unpopular because he closed a number of churches and schools, and refused to recognize the Catholic teachers' union. His political pronouncements on right to life had little impact on the Presidential campaign in either Luzerne or Lackawanna counties (both carried by President Obama in a landslide).

Now if only someone would do something about the Diocese of Erie, PA.

www.bishop-accountability.org/abusetracker for DAILY verifed & vetted reporting on the continued mutiple documented Billions Of Dollars, with NO CORRECTION OR END IN SIGHT, in diverted laity offetory monies by the USCCB (Unremoved Sexual Criminal Cabal Bishops) & Roman "La Cosa Nostra" Pedo Curia Cult.

To date, just in the USA, over 140,000 children have bee sexually assaulted, molested, raped, orally copulated, sodomized, hard ball litigated, character assassinated, suicided, murdered, kidnapped, obstructed in justice, defrauded, endangered, racketeered, etc, by this curia caused ongoing global pedo ring.

THE SOLUTION? "STOP DONATING LAITY!" as St. Peter Damien correctly asserted & was canonized for.

There is no middle ground here laity, you are either financially contributing to the luxury life styles, aid, & abetting, if not perpetrating, of these EVIL pedo curia, or you are not!

HOW WILL YOU ANSWER YOUR MAKER?!

Edmund Burke reminds each of us: "The only condition for the triumph of evil is for good men (or women) to do nothing."

Fiat Lux & Veritas,

Albino Luciani,
MURDERED POPE

The problem for many who call themselves Catholic and/or Christian is that they do not read the bible, the Word of God. Jesus Christ said, " I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

There are not many paths to salvation, there is one. The Word of God is inerrant or it is completely irrelevant. Each one of must decide if we will follow a man's doctrine or if we will follow God in Christ.

I for one am tired of the Cafeteria Catholics like Biden, Pelosi and all the other hypocritics in DC. Of course we can't forget those who voted for Obama. I honor this Priest and if the Bishops in the US asked him to stop or step down then they are a sad sort. I will always pray for our politicians but I will never vote for them. I wish more Priests were like this Saint.
By the way the burial of a man who was also a Cafeteria Catholic was disgraceful to the Church. The priests wearing white was even more laughable. There was nothing pure about the man. A small mass would have been fine for the family.

Good-bye and good riddance Bishop Martino. Might he and others again be reminded of the separation of church and state. He failed in his duties. Allow the rest of us to support whom we choose. Personally, I ignored everything he spewed forth. How can you defend capital pinishment yet demonize pro-choice. If there is a god he will judge those who are deemed to have sinned, not Bishop Martino and his ilk....

The first thing you got wrong was to say that the bishop was anti-Obama. The bishop is not anti-Obama. He is pro-life and that pits him automatically against any pro-abortion faction regardless of who belongs to it. . The issue of consequence in any argument has to do always and exclusively with verbs. Abortion is a verb. Obama is a noun. The issue is the verb, Abortion ; not the noun Obama or any other noun.
It is an unfortunate fact that Obama is the most pro-abortion president we’ve had in quite some time.

The second thing you got wrong was to use the phrase, “intemperate blasts”. It is utterly impossible to be intemperate or too intemperate or to deliver too charged or powerful a blast against pro-choice/pro-abortion politicians or anyone else who is decidedly, actively and unrepentantly pro-abortion. .

The third thing you got wrong was to say that Biden was born…Catholic. Biden nor anyone else is born Catholic. A person is baptized Catholic and becomes one no other way.

The next point I’d like to mention, you got right. Namely, to say that , “It was a step not even Biden’s own bishop in Delaware would take.” Regrettably, that’s probably true. But then Biden’s own bishop in Delaware, like most bishops, is a wimp.

The USCCB is definitely not relevant in the Diocese of Scranton or any other diocese. The USCCB does not take the place of the bishop no matter how many confused and misguided and cowardly bishops there are who let the USCCB do just that. The Bishop of the diocese and no one else has the responsibility on his head, shoulders and soul for his diocese. And he will answer to God for it.

And yes there is one teacher in any diocese and yes, these points are not debatable!

The present day Church and the world needs the unambiguated preaching and power of a St. John the Baptist. It needs the feistiness and fire of a St. Louis de Montfort. It needs the clear thinking and straight talking of a Pius X. In short, it is desperately in need of that which seems most lacking, not due to any fault of His own of course, but only to our proud, arrogant and adamant rejection of God, faith and religion, namely the Holy Spirit.

Dear concerned Catholics,
Smell the Roses! It is sad to see so many Catholic parishes close the church doors to those who would want to see the church grow. Lets bring in the lost and tell them about Jesus and teach them how to enjoy our faith,thats been handed to us by the apostles. The only other man I know to close so many churches was Joseph Stalin.
Dear Lord "help us".

I have read with great interest the 37 comments both pro and con for Bishop Joseph Martino. I happen to know Bishop Martino as a friend, he is a kind, caring, giving, Godly man. All his life he has lived the gospel. I am so sorry for the people of Scranton who could not see this goodness. The only thing that Bishop Martino was concerned about was the soul's of the people of Scranton. It was with great sadness that he 'had' to close churches very dear to the people, he anguished over this with each closing but, it was evident that the people were not in the pews. They did not rear their ugly heads until the doors closed. Coming to church on Easter and Christmas does not pay the bills weekly. As for his stand on Pro-life, shouldn't we all be pro-life? We are all here today because our mother's chose 'life'. God bless Bishop Martino for his stand and teaching during his six years in Scranton. The cream will come to the top and Bishop Martino will not only survive but he'll prosper.

""Jesus kept an open mind about things, why can;t any of you?"

That's a filthy lie, Jesus is God, he knows what's right and wrong, he did not change his beliefs to satisfy liberals."

Well, thanks for that reasoned response. Never mind, keep your head in the sand, cross your arms, stomp your feet, hold your breath, or whatever it is that petulant children like you do when people say things you don't like to hear. "Filthy lie," well played...

It was a lie Johnny... Jesus said "go and sin no more", but that always seems to get truncated from the lapsed Catholic's vocabulary.

To Mac09 "The problem for many who call themselves Catholic and/or Christian is that they do not read the bible, the Word of God. Jesus Christ said, " I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) "

Error, error, error- a faithful Catholic who attend Mass hears and reads the word of God 4 times at each Sunday service: Old Testament (1st reading), New Testament (2nd Reading), Psalms (Responsorial Psalm)and the one from theGospels. The services themselves are all from the Bible...try going to your local Catholic Church and see the authenticity of our religion.
" You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." John 8:32

God Bless

"It was a lie Johnny... Jesus said "go and sin no more", but that always seems to get truncated from the lapsed Catholic's vocabulary."

Which has what to do with anything I've said in this thread thus far? Eye on the ball, friend.

Having attended the press conference...it was not in a secret location, nor was it an invitation-only event. It was attended by many members of the local media - television, radio and print media. And it might also be good to get terminology correct...actually Cardinal Rigali reappointed all episcopal vicars. There was no need to reappoint 2 Vicar's General, as his delegate, Msgr. Joseph Bambera was given the rights and duties of a Vicar General. The press conference was aired live by the Catholic Television station of the diocese and one of the local TV channels. Don't sound too secret to me! Please get your facts straight.

Excruciatingly insulting but fair call……..”One, Holy, Catholic and moderazione Apostolic”

He is my Bishop (as I live near Scranton).
Bishop Martino is a GOOD Bishop and a man of God. I don't care much for how people want to judge him. In reference to judgment, Christ said, "Maybe you should remove the PLANK from your own eye first, in order that you may clearly see to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Christ also said that "if the world hates you, that is because it hated Me first," and "to be a friend of God is to be an enemy of the world. The world loves its own, but because you are no longer of this world, it hates you."

People don't like him because he is faithful to Christ and to His Church.
When His apostles asked Him if only a few would be saved, Jesus replied, "Enter in by the narrow gate, for wide is the path that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in by it." "The road to life is narrow, and there are only few who find it."
And, "Unless you are willing to carry your cross and follow Me, you cannot be My disciple."

Being a Christian is not popular, bu If I had to choose between Christ and the world, I choose Christ!

kamalayka-
He had a personality disorder and only saw things in black and white. Priests and parishioners were quitting.
His slap in the face to unionized teacher was the final straw for this wife of a steelworker. The head of the household forbade any contributions to the church.
Oh how holy of you to Choose Christ. Words are cheap. Can you live them?

Separation of church and state? Where is that in the constitution?

Imagine a country where the law banned people from acting on their own beliefs. Such a nation would be full of schizoid, maladjusted, psychologically unstable weirdos. As a consequence, its cities would be racked with hatred and violence. Its politicians would be crazier still, promising the world and delivering nothing. It would quickly go broke, and its enemies would conquer it without firing a shot. Unemployment would be rampant. It would eat its young. It would regard morality as a bad joke. Its freedoms would evaporate. Chaos would reign. Starting to sound familiar?

Separating one's beliefs from one's actions is the road to insanity. Our society was founded on freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. It's time for us all to smell the coffee. Dance with who brung you.