Congregation for Catholic Education will review bishop’s refusal to recognize teachers group
From the Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice, March 27, 2008
The dispute between the Diocese of Scranton and the teachers union will proceed to Vatican City, the union’s president said Wednesday.
The Congregation for Catholic Education will review the case and issue a decision that could uphold or overrule Scranton Bishop Joseph F. Martino’s refusal to recognize the teachers union as a collective bargaining unit, union President Michael Milz said.
If the congregation sides with the diocese, then the union will appeal to the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura — often called the Supreme Court of the Church, said Rita Schwartz, president of the National Association of Catholic School Teachers.
“Bishop Martino, we think so clearly violated the law of the Church,” she said.
In January, the diocese announced that it would not recognize the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers, and instead it has implemented an employee relations program.
Milz said there was no timeline for the decision or possible hearing at the Vatican.
To follow the official appeal process, union officials wrote to Bishop Martino to ask him to change his decision shortly after it was announced. He replied that his decision was final, so now all information has been forwarded to Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, Milz said.
If it comes to a hearing, the diocese and union each will employ a lawyer who will present their sides in front of the Supreme Tribunal.
Efforts to reach Vatican officials were unsuccessful Wednesday evening.
William Genello, diocesan spokesman, said he was not aware of the possible hearing.
The appeal to the Vatican is just one of several steps to pressure Martino into recognizing the union, Milz said.
“We’re leaving no stone unturned,” he added.
View similar stories by following the links below:
The dispute between the Diocese of Scranton and the teachers union will proceed to Vatican City, the union’s president said Wednesday.
The Congregation for Catholic Education will review the case and issue a decision that could uphold or overrule Scranton Bishop Joseph F. Martino’s refusal to recognize the teachers union as a collective bargaining unit, union President Michael Milz said.
If the congregation sides with the diocese, then the union will appeal to the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura — often called the Supreme Court of the Church, said Rita Schwartz, president of the National Association of Catholic School Teachers.
“Bishop Martino, we think so clearly violated the law of the Church,” she said.
In January, the diocese announced that it would not recognize the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers, and instead it has implemented an employee relations program.
Milz said there was no timeline for the decision or possible hearing at the Vatican.
To follow the official appeal process, union officials wrote to Bishop Martino to ask him to change his decision shortly after it was announced. He replied that his decision was final, so now all information has been forwarded to Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, Milz said.
If it comes to a hearing, the diocese and union each will employ a lawyer who will present their sides in front of the Supreme Tribunal.
Efforts to reach Vatican officials were unsuccessful Wednesday evening.
William Genello, diocesan spokesman, said he was not aware of the possible hearing.
The appeal to the Vatican is just one of several steps to pressure Martino into recognizing the union, Milz said.
“We’re leaving no stone unturned,” he added.
View similar stories by following the links below:
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6:48 AM
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