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W HILE announcing his resignation as head of the Roman Catholic Church’s Scranton Diocese, Bishop Joseph F. Martino quoted lyrics from “The Gambler,” a song popularized by country music’s Kenny Rogers.
“You have to know when to hold them and when to fold them,” said the bishop. It should be noted that during Monday’s press conference Martino also quoted from a more conventional prophet, citing St. Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians.
But, suffice it to say, Martino’s farewell address in Scranton was markedly and refreshingly different from the one-way communication channels favored in recent years by the diocese.
The embattled bishop, whose resignation has been accepted by the pope, answered reporters’ questions. He admitted that the strain of the job and the unpopularity of certain decisions had at times left him “with crippling physical fatigue.” He was personable, forthcoming and apologetic. He was visible. He was humble.
In short, Martino offered much of what had been missing during his six-year tenure as the diocese’s pastoral point man and leader of nearly 350,000 Catholics.
Vilified by some people for his actions to control costs by closing schools and planning to shutter 115 parishes, Martino often was portrayed as distant and cold. Critics called him a “hatchet man,” and worse. But was the trouble with the messenger or the message? Or, was it the way the message most often was delivered?
Under Martino, the diocese took some issues public that perhaps could best have been resolved privately and with a personal touch. He butted heads, for instance, with area Catholic-based colleges regarding campus activities and Scranton parade organizers over the abortion views of certain parade participants.
On other matters, including the recognition of a Catholic teachers’ union, the diocese frequently chose to issue its views only through its own television channel and journal, The Catholic Light. Rather than discussion, there appeared to be only decree. The Philadelphia Inquirer recently described it this way: “(Martino) rarely appeared in public or spoke to secular news media.”
Scranton Diocese Spokesman Bill Genello routinely did not return phone calls from The Times Leader’s reporters who sought the diocese’s input for news articles. Reporters’ e-mails also went unanswered. And yet, after one article published earlier this year, Genello submitted a letter to the editor, claiming the newspaper favored the diocese’s critics and allowed them too much of a platform for their messages.
Although placing blame on the news media can be popular, it is neither a helpful nor an effective way to relay important information to the public.
Hopefully, the diocese’s next bishop will recognize the value of being both in charge and accessible.
Martino, judging from what could be gathered through interviews with his acquaintances, is an intelligent, articulate, compassionate man who, when faced with tough decisions, sticks to his convictions. He also has a sense of humor.
He sounds like a fine fellow.
It’s a shame that, as Scranton’s bishop, he played his cards so close to his vest.