Bishop Martino Must Resign

As reported in today's local newspapers, although the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers (SDACT), as well as most informed members of the community knew that Michael Milz, President of the SDACT, was targeted and fired for union activity, it was still a shock to learn the lengths to which the Diocese went in order to cover it up.

The conspiracy concocted by the Diocese to terminate Milz began in 2007 when the Diocese created a ridiculous, one-of-a-kind, method of determining seniority and placement which negated any seniority Milz had accrued, and put him at the bottom of the new seniority system after 33 years of teaching. Once that was accomplished, the rest of the scenario was put into play at the end of the last school year by increasing class size, reducing student electives and increasing teachers’ workloads in order to say that Milz’s job was eliminated in order to “run a leaner school.”

Since Diocesan officials knew such a transparent scheme would be seen for what it was, and since they were unwilling to face public criticism for firing Milz, they conspired to cover up his termination through an unethical and devious manipulation of staffing needs, leading to the cavalier decision to terminate another teacher, Jim George. Such actions demonstrate a total lack of concern for the sacrifice and dedication of our teachers. Those involved in this plot had absolutely no regard for the emotional trauma inflicted on Milz and George - teachers who loved their jobs and the students they had served for more than three decades. The harm they have inflicted on them is irreparable.

What the Diocese (and all involved in the conspiracy did) is repeatedly lie to the public about Milz’s firing. As recently as last week the Diocese, through its spokesperson Bill Genello, lied to the Wall Street Journal about the nature of Milz’s termination. They have repeatedly done this in print and on TV. Their very public pronouncements we now know are at wide variance with the truth.

Superintendent of Schools Joseph Casciano, Holy Redeemer System Director Susan Dennen and Holy Redeemer Principal James Redington, as well as any other administrator connected with this conspiracy must resign. So must Bishop Joseph Martino, for he’s made it crystal clear to the public on many occasions that all decisions emanate from him. A fish rots from the head down, and this is never truer than in the Scranton Diocese. In the process of the cover-up, the Diocese was intentionally willing to hurt teachers, students and parents by showing little regard for the detrimental impact their actions would have on the entire educational process - all in order to succeed in their vendetta against Milz.

Robert Beviglia, on the other hand, should be seen as a hero, the only administrator in this sordid affair with a shred of integrity. We’re certain that he now faces the loss of his own job for doing nothing more than what was the ethical thing to do. If that happens, the public must respond accordingly.

Finally, we hope the public now fully understands why all Catholic school teachers in Pennsylvania need the protection of House Bill 2626. What was done to Milz would be illegal in any other workplace in America —just as is the company union scheme the Diocese created instead of recognizing the union. But the way the law now stands, even though their actions are unethical and immoral, Church officials have every legal right to do these things. Catholic school teachers have no recourse. They can fire us for our union activity, they can deny us our First Amendment right to freedom of assembly and there is nothing we can do legally to stop it.