Saturday, July 09, 2005
EMAIL FROM DR. BOND
Dear Friends,
Along with the report that the Diocese of Scranton ordained only three men to the priesthood this year, the Scranton Times has published a number of articles that outlines the financial crisis in the Scranton Diocese. I have linked the articles below, as well as a letter to the editor from a woman who rightly claims that the problem with the Church in Scranton cannot be reduced to "demographics."
"A tough calling"
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14782714&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=8
"A host of challenges"
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14782721&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=8
"Diocesan changes signal beginning of new chapter"
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14774295&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=8
"Diocese to sell two churches"
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14749934&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=8
"Facing deficits, Diocese to trim jobs"
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14678517&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=8
"Letter to the Editor"
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14774300&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=418218&rfi=6
While the above articles identify changing demographics as the explanation for the financial crisis in the Diocese of Scranton, the real cause is a loss of faith, from the top down. When a diocese has been subjected to the queer governance of a bishop like James Timlin, who reigned for nearly twenty years in Scranton, the consequences for the faithful have always been disastrous. Taking only one revealing example, here is a shepherd of the Holy Catholic Church who loaned 2.65 million dollars to a homosexual cult even after their nefarious activities had been fully exposed. Compare that fact with the Diocese of Scranton's official "history," as posted on the diocesan web site, which praises Timlin's "financial acumen":
Bishop Timlin, a native of Holy Rosary Parish in North Scranton, would be in office during the one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary of the creation of the Diocese. In addition to bringing the Diocesan Synod to a successful conclusion, the Bishop had implemented a greatly successful plan of parish mergers, brought about by the unfortunate (and nationwide) shortage of Catholic clergy. In the area of Catholic education, the Bishop was faced with declining enrollments and escalating costs. By means of regional mergers, construction of modern facilities, innovative fund raising efforts, and a more equitable sharing of operating costs between families, parishes and the Diocese, a financial crisis has been successfully met. This, in addition to the "Bishop’s Annual Appeal," to meet funding for retired priests, seminarians, media efforts and evangelization, has singled out Bishop Timlin’s administration for its financial acumen and strong pastoral sensitivity.
How does this obsequious piece of flattery square with the reports recently published in the Scranton Times? As for Timlin's supposed "strong pastoral sensitivity," please excuse me while I vomit.
Pax vobiscum,
Dr. Jeffrey M. Bond
www.SaintJustinMartyr.org/news/notices.html
