SCRANTON (PA)
Scranton Times
BY CHRIS BIRK STAFF WRITER 06/09/2005
The Vatican has ratified the Diocese of Scranton's decision to sever all ties with the Society of St. John, declaring the group's appeal "has no basis in law or in fact."
The ruling solidifies the initial suppression decree issued in November by the Most Rev. Joseph F. Martino, diocesan bishop. The bishop last fall cited a lingering sexual abuse lawsuit and mounting financial problems among his reasons for cutting off the embattled society.
Weeks later, afforded an avenue of recourse under Catholic canon law, the society appealed the decision to Rome.
The Vatican issued its own decree on May 3.
In it, the Congregation for the Clergy states the Society of St. John "has been plagued with numerous difficulties, particularly in the areas of economic and pastoral activities" and "has repeatedly refused to fully cooperate with the (bishop) in the execution of his responsibilities regarding the oversight of the financial situation of the society," according to a story in today's "The Catholic Light" newspaper.