Reports are surfacing the leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scratnon will step down.
Bishop Joseph Martino is calling it quits after a controversial six year reign.
Joseph Martino was installed as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Scranton in an elaborate Mass at St. Peter's Cathedral in October, 2003.
Now, sources in the diocese confirm for Newswatch 16 that Bishop Martino will be stepping down from his position as soon as next week.
Postings on several Catholic websites indicate Bishop Martino is retiring because of health reasons.
When the bishop does step aside, Newswatch 16 has learned, that Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be in charge of the Scranton diocese on an interim basis until a new bishop is named.
The cardinal is considered the metropolitan, the highest ranking church official in all of Pennsylvania.
The Scranton Times reported in its Thursday edition that Bishop Martino is moving his belongings out of the rectory at St. Peters Cathedral and into the diocesan retreat at a former seminary in Dalton, Lackawanna County.
Newswatch 16 has learned the move from the rectory is the first step to Martino's departure as bishop of Scranton.
Newswatch 16 attempted to get a comment from the spokesman of the Scranton diocese but our calls came after business hours Thursday nd no one was available.
Bishop Joseph Martino is calling it quits after a controversial six year reign.
Joseph Martino was installed as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Scranton in an elaborate Mass at St. Peter's Cathedral in October, 2003.
Now, sources in the diocese confirm for Newswatch 16 that Bishop Martino will be stepping down from his position as soon as next week.
Postings on several Catholic websites indicate Bishop Martino is retiring because of health reasons.
When the bishop does step aside, Newswatch 16 has learned, that Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be in charge of the Scranton diocese on an interim basis until a new bishop is named.
The cardinal is considered the metropolitan, the highest ranking church official in all of Pennsylvania.
The Scranton Times reported in its Thursday edition that Bishop Martino is moving his belongings out of the rectory at St. Peters Cathedral and into the diocesan retreat at a former seminary in Dalton, Lackawanna County.
Newswatch 16 has learned the move from the rectory is the first step to Martino's departure as bishop of Scranton.
Newswatch 16 attempted to get a comment from the spokesman of the Scranton diocese but our calls came after business hours Thursday nd no one was available.
