Bambera grateful, humble, asks for support in prayers

Mark Guydish

 Diocese of Bishop elect Joseph Bambera said the diocese has "an opportunity to move forward. .. with challenges, absolutely,"  Asked if prior controversial decisions by Bishop Joseph Martino would be revisited, Bambera said that is unlikely, due to the extensive work and thought that went into the decisions.

Monsignor Joseph C. Bambera(nearest left) speaks to the media Tuesday after it was announced that he had been appointed the next bishop of Scranton.Don Carey Times Leader Photo.

Don Carey

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"I think our goal right now is really to move forward based on the struggles that we experienced and the hard work we have done so far," Bambera said.

Bambera praised the people of the diocese who, "from my own personal experience I know that the lord is deeply rooted in the people of this diocese.

Asked of any specific changes he plans to implement, Bambera demurred. "Every individual .... come with his own style and strengths and weaknesses and areas that need growth. As I look at this diocese I think the thing we need to consider and is most important is this particular vision... we have been called to holiness and mission, not simply .. restructuring parishes and schools, that's just a preliminary step. In that respect I don't have a new agenda, my agenda is the agenda of the (Second Vatican ) council.

Asked about the clash between Martino and the four local Catholic Colleges, Bambera said "We are very very privileged in this diocese to have four outstanding (catholic institutions). It is clearly the role of the bishop to review the institutions. He noted he served for six years on the board of the University of Scranton and that the students there "embrace their faith and live it out."

Bambera said he first learned he was to be named bishop while driving from his parish in Eynon on the Scranton Expressway when the Papal Nuncio in Washington called him. "Needless to say I had to pull over or it would have been something of an obstruction on the expressway. ... I hope you would expect (my reaction) was one of shock and surprise.

"I don't think anyone ever thinks they are fit for or worth of a job like this, this is a role in the church I think one can only take on with humilty and just trust that it is part of God's providence and that the Lord that gets you into it will carry you through."

Bishop elect Joseph Bambera offered "profound appreciation" to the pope for selecting him as bishop of the Diocese of Scranton, "offered thanks" to Cardinal Justin Rigali, and expressed gratitude to Bishop Emeritus James Timlin and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Dougherty.

"I also wish to gratefully acknowledge Bishop Joseph Martino," noting that during his six years as bishop, Martino had worked to help all people in the diocese.

Bambera reached out to diocesan priests and deacons to help in his guidance of the diocese.

"Most of you are aware of the facts that my roots are here," Bambera said, adding that his mother still lives in Carbondale and his sister lives in Stroudsburg. He reiterated past comments that serving as a parish priest has been his greatest joy in his various capacities in the diocese.

Bambera conceded the diocese has "struggled with change," citing specifically the closing of churches and schools under Martino, but added "life goes on."

Bambera said that, six months ago when appointed delegate for Cardinal Justin Rigali, he "couldn't have imagined" being named bishop. He cited a quote, "God writes straight with crooked lines," and said he now understands that sentiment.

"God walks with us, my brothers and sisters," he said, "Jesus walks in the footsteps of committed priests, deacons, and laity," and in those who serve others.

He quoted  St. Augustine: "For you, I am a bishop. With you, I am a Christian."

Posted 10:05 a.m.

Cardinal Justin Rigali announced "with great joy" the appointment of Monsignor Joseph Bambera as the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Scranton. He will be installed Monday, April 26 at 2 p.m in St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton.

Rigali said his time as apostolic administrator will soon come to an end, but said he has been "blessed" and "privileged," and praised both clergy and lay during his tenure as apostolic administrator following the retirement of Bishop Joseph Bambera Aug. 31.

"A bishop is primarily called to pastor the people to the heart of Jesus Christ," Rigali said, requiring "total and serene dedication to the church," joy in dealing with those he cares for, and respect in extending friendship to all"

Rigali asked the faithful "to work generously with the new bishop," expressly mentioning Orthodox and Polish National Catholics, as well as other Christian and non Christian faiths.

POSTED 8:35

The Vatican announced in its daily bulletin that Monsignor Joseph Bambera will be the new bishop of the Diocese of Scranton. Bambera has been serving as Apostolic Administrator Justin Rigali's local delegate since Bishop Joseph Martino retired, running day to day operations.

Bambera was born in 1956 in Carbondale and did his seminary work in the now-closed Saint Pius X seminary in Dallas. He has been with the diocese since 1983. He worked in St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Scranton and in St. Peter's Cathedral. He also served at St. John Bosco in Sugarloaf Township, and currently at St. Thomas Aquinas in Archbald and St. Mary of Czestocha in Eynon.

St. Thomas Aquinas was closed for emergency ceiling repairs shortly before Martino resigned Aug. 31, and after a press conference announcing that Bambera would take over daily duties, he made reference to the fact.: "Things continue to fall on me."

The quip exemplified why Bambera has been a popular parish priest. In public he exhibits a calm confidence and a ready smile, qualities the diocese took advantage of at times when a crisis developed.

In 2006 when Monsignor J. Peter Crynes resigned as pastor at St. Therese's Church in Shavertown amid allegations of sexual misconduct that had occurred years earlier, it was Bambera, in his role as Episcopal Vicar for the central pastoral region, who spoke at each Mass one weekend to explain the abrupt departure of the popular Crynes.

Bambera also testified in a 2007 civil suit regarding alleged sexual misconduct by the Rev. Albert Libatore. During his testimony, Bambera weathered nearly two hours of hard-hitting questions from an attorney representing the alleged victim, answering questions regarding diocesan handling of abuse allegations through the years.

And in 2008 it fell to Bambera, again as vicar for the central region, to defend Bishop Martino's decision to close Sacred Heart Church in Wilkes-Barre. A group lead by Anthony and Noreen Foti are fighting that decision, and they wrote letters to Martino and the church pastor, Monsignor John Sempa, arguing against it. Bambera responded at one point, contending the estimated cost of repairing the church is too steep and "would reflect an irresponsible use of funds."

Bambera has served as vicar for priests, director of continuing education for priests, and formation director at  St. Pius X Seminary, now a religious retreat.

In what arguably becomes an ironic comment in hindsight, when Bambera was appointed Rigali's delegate and asked if the hierarchy might appoint him as bishop he replied "I would hope not! ... Surely they could find someone better suited for the job than me."

The Diocese has scheduled a 10 a.m. press conference, to be broadcast live on its television station, Catholic Television.