Diocese of Scranton. News Briefing Vol. 9 #6 5/2/ Subscribe to News Briefing. In This Issue

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1 Diocese of Scranton News Briefing Vol. 9 #6 5/2/2013 In This Issue Bishop Bambera's Statement on the Death of Bishop Joseph McFadden Statement Regarding Father Thomas Shoback ACTION ALERT: Pro-Life Bill Moving On To State Senate MISSION STATEMENT We, the Catholic community of the Diocese of Scranton, are called through Baptism to imitate the servant leadership of Jesus Christ. In union with our Holy Father, the Pope, we proclaim the Gospel faithfully, celebrate the sacraments joyfully, and boldly promote life, justice and peace in northeastern and north central Pennsylvania. Subscribe to News Briefing Collection Supports Catholic Communication Projects Office for Parish Life Mark Your Calendar Real Estate Availability Bishop Bambera's Statement on the Death of Bishop Joseph McFadden With shock and deep sadness, I learned of the death of Bishop Joseph McFadden, Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg. It was my privilege to have spent two days with him and the other bishops of Pennsylvania at a meeting in Philadelphia earlier this week. Bishop McFadden was a good friend and a faithful servant of the Lord and His Church. He brought the deepest convictions of his Catholic faith to his ministry as Bishop of Harrisburg in a tireless and enthusiastic manner. I join with the clergy, religious and laity of the Diocese of Scranton in extending sympathy to Bishop McFadden's family and friends and all of the faithful of the Diocese of Harrisburg who grieve his untimely death. May God grant him eternal rest and peace. Statement Regarding Father Thomas Shoback On May 1, 2013, Diocesan Officials confirmed the outcome of the trial of Father Thomas Shoback. Since November 2011, the Diocese of Scranton has cooperated with law enforcement's investigation and prosecution of this criminal case. Now that the criminal justice system has brought this case to closure, the Diocese of Scranton recognizes that the announcement of this verdict will serve as a very painful reminder of the wounds many survivors carry with them, most especially those who were harmed by Father Shoback. In response to the verdict, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, reacted, "At this time, I express my

2 personal sorrow for the pain endured by those who suffered this abuse and extend my apology for any way in which the Church, and particularly its bishops, priests and deacons have failed them. I also reaffirm my personal commitment to exercise vigilance in our protection of children and young people and offer my sincere gratitude to all who worked so diligently to resolve this case. With the civil law process completed, in accordance with The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Father Shoback is permanently removed from ecclesiastical ministry and his status as a priest will be referred to the Holy See for a final determination. While Church law has been and will continue to be exercised with regard to this situation, anyone who believes that they have been the victim of child sexual abuse is encouraged to contact law enforcement. Finally, I ask the faithful of the Diocese to join their prayers with mine to pray for the continued healing for all those impacted by child sexual abuse and all who search for healing, reconciliation and peace during this difficult time." ACTION ALERT Pro-Life Bill Moving On To State Senate The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) specifically permits states to prohibit insurance providers that participate in the exchange from covering elective abortions. Governor Corbett has indicated that Pennsylvania will not create its own exchange. Therefore, to assure that elective abortion is not included in the federal exchange to be implemented in Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth must affirmatively opt out by passing a state law. House Bill 818 clearly prohibits the taxpayer supported insurance plans from covering elective abortions. HB 818 passed the State House on April 23 with a vote of 144 to 53. It now heads to the State Senate, where a vote is expected in the coming weeks. Click here to send a message to your legislators in support of HB 818. Abortion coverage has long been prohibited in Pennsylvania's Medicaid program (except in cases of rape, incest or to avert the death of the mother). Currently no tax dollars are used for elective abortions anywhere in Pennsylvania. HB 818 guarantees that the taxpayer supported plans in the federal government's new health insurance exchange are in line with this long-standing policy. House Bill 818 does not eliminate coverage of abortions in the cases of rape, incest or to avert the death of the mother. Only elective abortions are excluded. Collection Supports Catholic Communication Projects Catholics can support Church communications nationwide and here in the Diocese of Scranton through contributions the weekend of May to the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) annual collection. This collection supports national and international projects - for example, the extensive communication efforts surrounding the election of Pope Francis - and the various forms of Diocesan media. Proceeds are split equally between each participating diocese and the national office. The CCC provides faith-centered television and radio programming, Catholic news, helpful marriage and family resources, audio versions of the daily Scripture readings and much more. These projects, delivered in a wide variety of ways, aim to connect everyone to the faith, the Church and God's Word. The theme, "How the Good News Gets Around to You," reflects the fact that the campaign helps to keep us connected to our faith - no

3 matter where we are - through a variety of communications media. The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, noted that contributors can support evangelization here in our Diocese through a donation to the Catholic Communication Campaign collection. "Support for this important collection enables us to spread the Good News throughout northeastern and north-central Pennsylvania because half of all the proceeds raised will fund communication projects in our home Diocese," Bishop Bambera said. "Your generosity will enable us to maintain a strong voice in today's world as we strive to evangelize and promote Gospel values through an array of media tools." The Diocese uses its share of the collection to support local communications projects such as The Catholic Light, Catholic Television (CTV), the diocesan website, and News Briefing, the electronic newsletter. CTV is the only diocesan owned-and-operated low-power TV broadcast station in the United States. CTV broadcasts 24 hours a day over-the-air and on the Comcast, Service Electric, Service Electric Cablevision, Adams and Metrocast cable companies. CTV broadcasts the daily Mass live from St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton; the monthly "Our Faith, Our Diocese" news program; as well as a variety of programs originating locally, nationally and internationally, including those produced by the CCC. The Catholic Light brings news of the Diocese and the Universal Church to more than 50,000 households throughout the 11 counties of the Diocese. Like CTV, it provides detailed information and perspective about our faith. News Briefing is another source of information and announcements from the Diocese. It is disseminated via in between issues of The Catholic Light. The Diocesan website at offers a wealth of information that can be accessed at any time by anyone with an Internet connection. The website includes video of the daily Mass from Saint Peter's Cathedral, "Our Faith, Our Diocese" and other programs. Office for Parish Life Scouts To Be Honored at Mass June 6 Young people from throughout the Diocese of Scranton will be honored for their efforts to spread the Gospel message through their dedication to the Scouting Religious Emblems Program at a Pontifical Mass on June 6 at 7 p.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Peter, Scranton. The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, will celebrate the liturgy and present the awards to the honorees, who have completed various programs in Catholic Scouting. CTV: Catholic Television will broadcast the Mass live. For information about the Scouting Religious Emblems Program, please contact the Diocesan Office for Parish Life at

4 Youth and Young Adult Ministry The next session of the International Student Leadership Institute (ISLI) will be hosted by the Diocese on June 24-27, 2013 at Fatima Center in Dalton. The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) will be held in Indianapolis, IN, on November 20-24, Information on these programs is available on the Diocese website. Please see Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Team Training for RCIA Many parishes have expressed interest in creating and/or renewing your teams for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Be sure to register your team members for the Beginnings Institute, hosted here in our Diocese at King's College in Wilkes-Barre, July 18-20, Pastors are encouraged to participate with your teams. This event will host parishes from about a six-state area, so participants will enjoy networking with teams from the broader Church. Registration is online at: Mark Your Calendar Interpreted Mass for Catholic Deaf in the Diocese of Scranton, May at St. Joseph's Oblate Seminary, 1880 Highway 315, Laflin. Gathering begins with faith-sharing at 1 p.m., followed by Mass (signed and interpreted), celebrated at 2 p.m. in the seminary chapel. Refreshments will follow. For more information, contact Sister Mary Beth Makuch, SSCM, at ext Real Estate Availability

5 The Property & Risk Management Division of the Diocese currently maintains a listing of real estate available for sale or use throughout the Diocese. If interested in learning about the available opportunities, please contact Ed Carlin, Property Assets Director, P&RM Division, at