Friday, November 26, 2004
E-MAIL FROM DR. BOND
Dear Friends,
The Bishop of Scranton, Joseph Martino, has issued a decree suppressing the Society of St. John. The decree was published on November 25, 2004 on the front page of the Diocese of Scranton's newspaper, The Catholic Light. I have reproduced the decree below.
We will comment more extensively in our next e-mail letter on the content of the decree, especially the new revelation that the SSJ "caused grievous financial burdens for the Diocese of Scranton" when the Diocese had to "secure a $2.6 million loan in August 2003, because of the Society's indebtedness." Those who have followed this scandal closely will remember that then Bishop James Timlin, in an August 10, 2003 interview with reporter Mark Guydish of the Times Leader, denied that the Diocese of Scranton would guarantee the repayment of the loans that Timlin was helping the SSJ secure. We now know that Timlin's statement to Guydish was yet another Timlin lie to cover up his cozy relationship with the SSJ.
For now let us rejoice that the pervert priests of the SSJ may no longer wave the Church's flag in defense of their crimes against God and men.
Pax vobiscum,
Dr. Jeffrey M. Bond
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The following decree has been issued by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, Bishop of Scranton:
DECREE
In the name of God.
The Society of St. John, Shohola, Pennsylvania, erected as a Public Association of the Faithful in the Diocese of Scranton on May 24, 1998, is the subject of this decree.
Exercising the competency granted in this matter by canon 320 2, C.I.C. and having heard the Society's moderator and major officials, in accord with the norm of canon 320 3, C.I.C., I, the undersigned Bishop of Scranton advance the following reasons for the suppression of the Society of St. John:
1) Six years after its erection the Society has shown no progress in attaining its stated purposes. It is principally a debt servicing operation currently and can be seen continuing as such for many years to come.
2) The Society of St. John has repeatedly refused to cooperate with the Bishop of Scranton in the fulfillment of canon 319 1 and 2, C.I.C. As a result, the Bishop of Scranton is at risk of being charged with failure to supervise if donors to the Society judge that they have been deceived.
3) Allegations of sexual misconduct against two members of the Society have caused public scandal. If the allegations are not true, there, nevertheless, have been acts of commission and omission by members of the Society in general that have given rise to these allegations and the resultant scandal.
4) Past financial decisions and conduct on the part of the Society of Saint John have caused grievous financial burdens for the Diocese of Scranton. These burdens include the Diocese being named in a civil suit for over $1 million and the need for the Diocese to secure a $2.6 million loan in August 2003, because of the Society's indebtedness.
For these reasons I hereby decree the Society of Saint John, Shohola, Pennsylvania, suppressed as a juridic person, a public association of the faithful, as of November 24, 2004.
Given at the Chancery on November 19, 2004.
[Signature of Joseph F. Martino]
Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D.
Bishop of Scranton
[Signature of James B. Earley]
James B. Earley
Chancellor
Diocese of Scranton
Note: Canons 1732-1739 provide applicable norms to seek the suspension of the effects of this decree and for hierarchic recourse against the same decree. At the direction of the Most Reverend Bishop, the Society of Saint John, Shohola, Pennsylvania, has been advised of these canonical norms by James B. Earley, Chancellor of the Diocese of Scranton.
