Citing a Lack of Time, Cardinal Picks Msgr. Bambera to Run Daily Diocese Operations
By Mark Guydish
Times-Leader
September 1, 2009
http://www.timesleader.com/news/Area_priest_named_administrator_09-01-2009.html
SCRANTON – The new Vicar General of the Diocese of Scranton insisted with a grin he prefers, at heart, to work as a pastor priest, but Monsignor Joseph Bambera is no stranger to administrative responsibilities.
As soon as Archdiocese of Philadelphia Cardinal Justin Rigali officially accepted the role of Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Scranton until a replacement is named for Bishop Joseph Martino, Rigali acknowledged he will not have much time to visit the diocese, and he named Bambera, a diocesan priest for 23 years, as his delegate and representative in Scranton.
Bambera has been a popular parish pastor, including a stint 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 abruptly earlier this month when the ceiling collapsed, a fact Bambera made reference to after the press conference on Monday.
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| Monsignor Joseph Bambera, pastor of two area churches, discusses his new responsibilities in the Diocese of Scranton. Photo by Clark Van Orden |
Noting Rigali called to tell him about his new job just 24 hours after the ceiling collapsed, Bambera quipped, "So things continue to fall on me." Bambera will remain pastor at the churches but said an assistant will be assigned, then said he looks forward to returning full-time to parish life. "I will be back nailing up the ceiling, somehow," he said with a smile.
Bambera might prefer the life of a pastor, but he has been called upon often to take on broader diocesan duties. He has served as vicar for priests, director of continuing education for priests, and formation director at the former St. Pius X Seminary in Dalton, which is no longer a seminary but is still used as a religious retreat.
He also has dealt with the public at times of crisis. In 2006 when Monsignor J. Peter Crynes resigned as pastor at St. Therese's Church in Shavertown amid allegations of sexual misconduct – allegations of events that had occurred 12 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 question 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."
After the press conference announcing Martino's resignation ended Monday, and the bishops involved left the room, Bambera came in to field a handful of questions. He stressed he will not be actually running the diocese, but will be reporting to Rigali, who will make all important decisions. He did say that the decisions regarding church closings still stand, and encouraged people to look forward.
"Life goes on. We are all affected by this experience."
He noted that his own two parishes in Archbald and Eynon are set to consolidate next year.
Asked if he thought the hierarchy might consider appointing him as Martino's replacement, Bambera laughed. "I would hope not!" he said. "Surely they could find someone better suited to the job than me."
Contact: mguydish@timesleader.com
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