Pope Benedict XVI Appoints 2 New Bishops

Pope gives Catholics in Scranton new bishop

Pope Benedict appointed a replacement today for the diocese left vacant by the unexpected resignation of Bishop Joseph Martino last August. Msgr. Joseph C. Bambera was chosen by the Holy Father to lead the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania as its 10th bishop.

The bishop-elect is currently the pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas parish at Archbald and of St. Mary of Czestochowa parish at Eynon. With the Diocese of Scranton vacant, Msgr. Bambera served as a delegate to Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philidelpia and helped run the daily operations of the diocese.

Bishop Martino retired at the age of 63 last year following what some called a contentious tenure at the helm of the Scranton diocese.

Though the bishop cited “crippling physical fatigue” as his primary reason for stepping down, he also stated in a press conference last Aug. 31 that disunity and a lack of “clear consensus” among the clergy about his “way of governance” were also to blame for his resignation. Bishop Martino was known as a staunch pro-life advocate and for his critiques of Sen. Bob Casey Jr., whom he urged to be more outspoken against abortion.

Northernmost diocese in NY receives bishop from Pope Benedict

The Vatican announced today that Pope Benedict appointed Fr. Terry LaValley of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, N.Y. as its 14th bishop. Fr. LaValley has served as the diocesan administrator since the see was vacated by Bishop Robert J. Cunningham, when he was assigned to lead the Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y.

Bishop-elect LaValley grew up and was educated in New York state, though he left to serve a six-year tour of duty with the United States Navy before entering the seminary in 1983. Just five years later, Bishop-elect LaValley had earned a Master of Divinity degree and was ordained a priest. In 1994, he graduated from St. Paul’s University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada with degrees in canon law.

Over the years, Bishop-elect LaValley has held numerous positions in the diocese, such as Adjutant Judicial Vicar, Episcopal Vicar for Diocesan Services and Chancellor of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, pastor of St. Raphael’s Church, and rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral, culminating in his recent tenure as diocesan administrator.

He will continue to function as the diocese's administrator until his installation as bishop.

Bishop-elect LaValley will be ordained a bishop at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Friday, April 30.

The Diocese of Ogdensburg itself is comprised of 116,000 Catholics. The diocese is served by 119 priests, 127 religious and 62 permanent deacons.