Bishop Martino installed as ninth bishop of Scranton, Pa.

Published: 2003-10-03

SCRANTON, Pa. (CNS) -- With a standing-room-only congregation in St. Peter's Cathedral and thousands of people across northeastern Pennsylvania watching on television, the attention of the Diocese of Scranton was focused on Bishop Joseph F. Martino as he was installed Oct. 1 as the ninth bishop of Scranton. Yet, even as the new shepherd assumed responsibility for the spiritual care of more than 355,000 Catholics in the 11-county diocese, he redirected the eyes, minds and hearts of everyone -- away from himself and onto Jesus Christ. "Our gathering here, though pointing in many ways to me, is above all a celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus, who is no mere guest at this event," Bishop Martino said. "He draws his people through his body and blood into a mystical bond with him. He gives them hope, because in his death and resurrection lies the basis of any hope which we can have in this life," he said.

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