Category: News

SCRANTON, PA (May 10, 2019) – The Diocese of Scranton today is providing information concerning the first 90 days of operations for the Independent Survivors Compensation Program.

The Program, launched on January 22, 2019, provides financial support to victims of clergy sexual abuse and promotes their healing and recovery. The Program is purely voluntary and open to individuals who submitted a complaint of sexual abuse to the Diocese before the Program was first announced as well as individuals who had not previously submitted a complaint.

The Program operates independently of the Diocese. It is administered by Kenneth Feinberg and Camille Biros, two nationally recognized experts with the full authority to provide assistance to survivors based on the circumstances of each case. The Program’s operations are monitored by an Independent Oversight Committee comprised of Robert Gillespie, Jr., former Luzerne County District Attorney, Ralph H. Meyer, President and Chief Executive Officer Emeritus with Guthrie Healthcare System, and Robin Engels, MA, MSW, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker.

“We know that no amount of money will be able to take away the pain that a survivor of sexual abuse has faced, but I was pleased to learn from the Administrators that, in just a few short months, the Program has been able to bring swift justice for many victims. We look forward to its continued success,” Bishop Joseph C. Bambera said.

In the first three months of the Program’s operation, 49 claims have been submitted by individuals who had previously raised claims of abuse. Feinberg and Biros have completed their review of nearly two-thirds of these claims and sent determination letters – containing offers of payment — to 31 individuals totaling $3,640,000. Seventeen claimants have accepted the offered compensation and have been paid more than $2,155,000. The fourteen others have not yet indicated if they will accept the offer. No claimants have rejected the offered compensation.

In addition, during the same period, 54 previously unknown persons have come forward with allegations and registered on the Program website. Of these new claim registrants, 51 have been accepted into the Program. One remains under consideration. Two were deemed ineligible to participate in the Program because they did not meet the Protocol criteria – specifically: one registrant was not a minor and the other was not subjected to sexual abuse. These new claims – which must be registered by July 31^st – will be processed by the Administrators after they complete processing the previously-known claims.

“We are very pleased with the progress and success of the Scranton Independent Survivors Compensation Program. We will continue to work with all those individuals submitting claims and appreciate the ongoing full support and cooperation of the Diocese of Scranton,” Camille Biros, Co-Administrator of the Scranton Program said.

The Program is not only open to survivors of abuse committed by priests from the Diocese of Scranton, but also survivors of abuse committed by members of religious communities as well as lay employees of the Diocese. Even survivors who have previously settled claims against the Diocese have been able to participate in order to ensure that they are treated as favorably as the claimants in the Program.

There is no monetary cap on any claims, either in the aggregate or for any individual.

The first claims were submitted to the Program on January 29th, within a week of the announcement of the Program. Claims for previously-known claims are handled in the order they are received and are typically processed within thirty days. Individuals who have previously raised complaints have until September 30, 2019 to file claims. Individuals who have not previously raised a complaint must register to participate by July 31, 2019. These registrations will be reviewed in the order in which they are received.

The Diocese and the Program’s Independent Oversight Committee urge all people who have interest in participating to visit www.ScrantonDioceseISCP.com for more information.

This Program is one of many steps the Diocese has taken to assist survivors of abuse. Survivors can continue to receive assistance from the Diocese including counseling or spiritual direction and referrals to support groups. The Diocese strictly adheres to a zero tolerance policy and immediately notifies law enforcement, the District Attorney and child protective services when abuse is reported. When an allegation of abuse appears credible, the Diocese removes the priest from ministry pending an investigation. The Diocese fully cooperates with law enforcement for any necessary investigation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Eric M. Deabill
Secretary for Communications
Diocese of Scranton
EDeabill@dioceseofscranton.org
Cell: (570) 237-6508
Office: (570) 591-5001

SCRANTON, PA (MAY 10, 2019) – The annual Mother’s Day Adoption Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton. This liturgy recognizes all mothers, with a special emphasis on adoptive and foster mothers. Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will be the principal celebrant.

Planning for the Mass is coordinated by the Diocesan Office for Parish Life, and Saint Joseph’s Center in Scranton. All are welcome to attend.

CTV: Catholic Television will broadcast the Mass live.

ROARING BROOK TOWNSHIP, PA (MAY 3, 2019)

Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of the Diocese of Scranton celebrated Mass and helped dedicate the new Monsignor F. Allan Conlan Religious Education Center at Saint Eulalia Parish on Sunday, May 5, 2019.

After years of planning and a full year of construction and renovation, the new facility is already being used to help educate the next generation of children in the Catholic faith.

The new religious education center has nine new classrooms in addition to remodeling eight existing classrooms. It also features new gathering spaces for youth groups, music ministers, meetings and other celebrations. As part of the roughly $2 million renovation project, the Parish Center was also remodeled and its kitchen updated. The Choir Loft inside the Church was also expanded to provide music ministers comfortable space to lead liturgical celebrations.

“These resources will be a vibrant center for parish activities, a place where community and church come together, a place where people get to know one another and give witness to faith in Christ, and our children learn the teachings of our faith,” Monsignor John W. Jordan, Pastor, Saint Eulalia Parish said.

Described by Parish members as the “Third Cornerstone Project,” planning for the new religious education center began in 2014 when it became apparent more space was needed. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in 2017.

Saint Eulalia Parish currently has more than 1,100 families with more than 350 children enrolled in its youth programs. When the Church on Blue Shutters Road was first dedicated in 1984, the Parish consisted of 300 families with 75 kids in youth programs.

“This is a wonderful day for the people of the North Pocono region! This new religious education center is a tremendous sign of growth in the Church and I am so thankful to those who invested their time and talent to make it a reality,” Bishop Joseph C. Bambera said.

The new religious education center is named in honor of Monsignor F. Allan Conlan, pastor emeritus of Saint Eulalia Parish who died in 2012.

“He loved the children. There wasn’t anything that he wouldn’t do for the children. He was a teacher. He came and he made it comfortable,” Elizabeth Strasburger, Director of Religious Education said. “If he were here today he would be very, very proud. He would be humbled to think anything was named after him.”

SCRANTON, PA (MAY 6, 2019) – Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will present the Bishop’s Youth Awards to 774 eighth-and-twelfth grade students representing parishes and Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Scranton during Masses at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton on Tuesday, May 7, and Thursday, May 9.

Awards will be given out during Masses that begin at 7:00 p.m. on both Tuesday and Thursday.

Since 1996, the Bishop’s Youth Award has recognized young people of the Diocese of Scranton for their commitment to faith and service in their parishes and schools.

Nominated by their pastors, parish life coordinators, principals, directors of religious education and/or youth ministers, these young people have been described as devoted to the parish, natural servant-leaders and excellent examples to their peers and others.

The Bishop’s Youth Award recipients are young people who serve their parishes and schools as altar servers, lectors, music ministers and cantors. Many are actively involved in parish youth groups. They are integral to the life of the parish, volunteering for missionary service, guiding younger students who are preparing for Confirmation, and assisting in such activities as Vacation Bible School and summer picnics. They serve the poor in many ways and touch the lives of those around them.

The Bishop’s Youth Award was developed by the Office for Parish Life and the Office for Catholic Schools. This award is the highest recognition offered to Catholic youth of the Diocese of Scranton.

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For more information contact:
Eric M. Deabill
Secretary for Communications
Diocese of Scranton
Cell: (570) 237-6508
Office: (570) 591-5001
EDeabill@dioceseofscranton.org

April 30, 2019 

The Robert H. Spitz Foundation, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, supported Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton with a $7,500 grant to assist with case-management expenses in the battle against local poverty.

The grant helped Catholic Social Services increase its ability to offer one-on-one counseling services to Scranton clients who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness or eviction.

“Effective case-management services that aim to move clients toward permanent shelter and self-sufficiency as soon as possible help us make the greatest impact on those facing homelessness,” said Mary Theresa Malandro, Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Human Services. “Our case managers are educated, highly trained and certified but often see their lives as a calling, and the services they provide for our most vulnerable neighbors are invaluable.”

Case management is among Catholic Social Services’ highest priorities, especially as the problem of hidden homelessness grows in Scranton.

Hidden homelessness, as opposed to visible homelessness, manifests itself off the streets and

finds people in hardship staying on friends’ couches, hopping from residence to residence, sleeping in vehicles or using other temporary accommodations. With proper case management, those experiencing hidden homelessness have the possibility to become high-functioning and self-sustaining.

CSS case managers help clients create and stick to workable household budgets, open and manage bank accounts, manage rent or mortgage payments and determine the affordability of housing in relation to other expenses, identify and eliminate unnecessary expenses and make proper use of surpluses by using savings accounts.

For more information about the program, contact Steve Nocilla, Diocesan Director of Housing and Residential Programs, at 579-209-9200, ext. 2103, or snocilla@cssscranton.org.

HAZLETON, PA (APRIL 25, 2019) – Bishop Joseph C. Bambera held a blessing ceremony today at the Catholic Social Services complex, 214 West Walnut Street, Hazleton, to celebrate the opening of the permanent Divine Providence Homeless Shelter and the new Bridge to Independence Program. Both are programs of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton.

Joined by the Governing Board of Catholic Social Services and other local dignitaries, Bishop Bambera acknowledged how this important project will directly impact the lives of people in southern Luzerne County.

“The Catholic Social Services complex in Hazleton serves a vital role in providing much-needed stability to individuals needing housing assistance,” Bishop Bambera said. “One of the core missions of the Diocese of Scranton and of Catholic Social Services is to serve people in poverty and hardship, as called by Christ, and respond compassionately to their needs.”

The new, permanent Divine Providence Homeless Shelter can host up to 20 clients each night. The shelter opens at 7 p.m. and is available to both men and women. The homeless shelter program in Hazleton first started in February 2016, initially rotating its home, from week to week, among area churches. Since its inception three years ago, the shelter has already helped more than 500 people.

The Bridge to Independence Program is a young adult residential program which serves people from ages 18 to 26. The new facility includes eight private bedrooms, a community room, as well as a common kitchen, dining room, laundry facility and office with computers. The goal of the Bridge to Independence Program, as its name implies, is to help develop and enhance life skills that will enable program participants to live independently and attain self-sufficiency.

“When I assumed responsibility for Catholic Social Services in January 2016, I quickly developed a healthy respect for the culture of Hazleton. The individuals living in this town truly understand the meaning of ‘taking care of each other.’ As a result, I wanted to find a way to infuse resources which would allow Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton to expand its ability to serve those in need,” said Mary Theresa Malandro, Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Human Services and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Social Services. “With the support of Bishop Bambera, Monsignor Thomas Muldowney, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Mental Health and Developmental Services, and several other community contributors, my vision has come to fruition!”

Catholic Social Services partnered with Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Mental Health and Developmental Services to create the Bridge to Independence Program. Funding, which totaled $1 million, helped renovate the former CSS building and annual support is being provided toward the operation of the program.

A grant from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, in the amount of $525,000, helped fund renovations to the part of the building that includes the Divine Providence Shelter and to the adjacent Family Center which houses Saint Joseph’s Food Pantry. The entire renovation project also received financial support from several other charitable foundations and community organizations.

In addition to renovations at the West Walnut Street facility, which was the original home of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel School and rectory, the complex also houses the Catholic Social Services Family Center in the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. The Catholic Social Services offices are also now located directly across the street in the original convent. Thus, the entire original Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish grounds now serve as a complete centralized campus for Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton, serving the Greater Hazleton Area.

“The support of the community at large to make this become a reality has been both humbling and inspiring,” said Neil Oberto, program manager of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton’s Counseling Services, serving the Greater Hazleton Area. “It is especially exciting to know that the buildings which served as Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish – and the church itself since 1907 – are now refurbished to continue service. There is no doubt ‘divine providence’ has been guiding this whole process.”

Community Bank N.A. recently made a contribution to the Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation in support of need-based tuition assistance for students attending a Diocesan Catholic school. This donation is part of the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program operated by the State’s Department of Community and Economic Development.

Community Bank presented the Diocesan Scholarship Foundation with a $55,000 gift through the EITC program and a $15,000 gift through the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) program.  Since the tax credit program began, Community Bank (the former First Liberty Bank & Trust) has donated more than $1 million to Catholic education in the Diocese of Scranton.

“We appreciate the continued generous support of Community Bank. This commitment has a significant impact in the lives of our Catholic school families,” said Jim Bebla, Diocesan Secretary for Development.