Bishop-elect Scharfenberger Lobbies for School Donation Tax Credit Bill

By Kyle Hughes
The Saratogian
March 18, 2014

http://www.saratogian.com/general-news/20140318/video-bishop-elect-scharfenberger-lobbies-for-school-donation-tax-credit-bill

Edward Scharfenberger, the Brooklyn priest picked to become the 10th bishop of the Albany Catholic Diocese next month, made his debut as an Albany lobbyist Tuesday, making the rounds and meeting with Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“At this point, I’m doing a lot of listening,” he told reporters after a press conference with Cardinal Timothy Dolan about a bill to create a new school donation tax credit that would help both public and parochial schools. “I want to hear from people.”

“Needless to say I see myself as a person who wants to be a peacemaker, to bring people together, to give people a sense of respect: self-respect, respect for their traditions, respect for their beliefs,” he added.

Scharfenberger, 64, a Brooklyn native who became a priest in 1973, says he has not spent much time in Albany since Pope Francis named him as the successor to current Bishop Howard Hubbard, who has reached the mandatory retirement age of 75. “I’m just the bishop-elect, so I’m wrapping up my work in Brooklyn.”

He is scheduled to be ordained and installed as bishop on April 10, in a ceremony that will be shown live online and on Time Warner Cable TV.

He said he’s been to Albany “probably two or three times mostly, but this is probably one of the first places in which I’ve been here for on an official event. I’ve had my ears open all day long.”

Asked about the challenges of his new clerical post, Scharfenberger said “people are looking to be respected. People are looking to be heard and I think one of the things I want to do is make sure there is a voice for everybody.”

Asked if Hubbard gave him any advice, Scharfenberger said: “Be a good listener and you’ll probably be well.”

According to the Albany Diocese, in 2002 Bishop-elect Scharfenberger was appointed Pastor of St. Matthias Church in Ridgewood, a large multi-ethnic parish, where he served for 12 years. During this time he also served as Promoter of Justice for the Diocese of Brooklyn, and was a member of the Diocesan Review Board for Sexual Abuse of Minors. His most recent assignments included Vicar for Strategic Planning and Episcopal Vicar for Queens.

He is also a lawyer, with a JD degree from Fordham University.

Contact: dmeyers@yakimaherald.com