Last night in Scranton, Pa., Bishop Joseph Martino arrived unexpectedly at a church-sponsored forum on the presidential election and, as the local newspaper puts it, “vehemently expressed his distaste for what was said about the church’s stance” on voting for pro-choice candidates.  When Sister Margaret Gannon of Marywood University cited “Faithful Citizenship,” the document issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Martino replied: “No USCCB document is relevant in this diocese,” said Martino. “The USCCB doesn’t speak for me.”

“The only relevant document … is my letter,” said the bishop, who had earlier issued a letter to the diocese on the topic.  “There is one teacher in this diocese, and these points are not debatable.”

The Wayne Independent described the meeting ending as follows: “Martino also said that he wanted to persuade Father Martin Boylan, of St. John’s [parish], to cancel the forum.  After his comments, most of the audience stood and clapped loudly while some were angry that the bishop usurped the forum.  About a quarter of the audience left after the bishop’s comments, which preceded the last half of the forum, a question and answer session with the panelists. Martino exited shortly after his comments.”

H/T: Dotcommonweal and Whispers in the Loggia (Photo: Wayne Independent story.)

James Martin, SJ

The Rev. James Martin, S.J., is a Jesuit priest, author, editor at large at America and founder of Outreach.