PENNSYLVANIA
Times Leader
By Mark Guydish – Click for more information on Mark
mguydish@timesleader.com – @TLMarkGuydish – 570-991-6112
SCRANTON — Retired Diocese of Scranton Bishop James Timlin remains an active, upbeat member of the church he has served for six decades, and the public has been invited to attend a “Mass of Thanksgiving” Wednesday marking the 89-year-old’s 65th year as a priest and 40th anniversary of being ordained an auxiliary bishop.
But the celebration comes on the heels of renewed scrutiny of diocesan practices regarding child sexual abuse. Spokesman Bill Genello confirmed the 11-county diocese has received a subpoena in relation to a grand jury probe in Pittsburgh.
The Morning Call of Allentown reported last week that Scranton is among six diocese in the state to get subpoenas related to an abuse probe.
Reached by phone Monday, Timlin exhibited his usual self-effacing attitude regarding the special Mass. “I’m not anxious to be celebrating all these anniversaries, but I go along,” he said. “It’s not my style to be celebrating things like this.”
Asked about the subpoena and the grand jury investigation — which The Morning Call reported has included the dioceses of Erie, Greensburg, Pittsburgh, Scranton, Harrisburg and Allentown — Timlin demurred.
“I’m not the bishop, it’s not my place to comment,” he said.
In a written statement, Genello reiterated what he said is the diocesan commitment to protecting children and supporting victims. “The Diocese of Scranton cooperates fully with all civil authorities in their investigation of such matters.”
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