Writer says bill would rein in destructive power of bishop

The following letter to the editor of the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader appeared July 9, 2008:

Writer says bill would rein in destructive power of bishop

For more than 30 years I have served as an officer/negotiator for the Bishop O’Reilly Education Association and vice president of the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers (SDACT). During that time I witnessed a gradual acceptance by the Scranton Diocese of Catholic school unions.

In light of Church teachings on labor rights, previous bishops acceded to the dictates of ethics and morality and recognized our right to exist.

Hundreds of contracts and amicable relationships later, our current bishop has turned his back on the honor and decency of his predecessors.

Not one of the individual Catholic school unions that flourished over the past three decades ever saw its members get rich.

In fact, many accepted substandard salaries in recognition of the financial burdens of the parents of their students. The real goal of all our affiliated unions was (and continues to be) partnership.

Aside from salaries and benefits commensurate with community standards, our unions negotiated working conditions to maximize members’ ability to provide an excellent education.
Because they had a voice in determining curriculum and class size, unionized Catholic teachers were able to create an atmosphere in which students thrived.

In fact, I’ve taught a multitude of children of parents who were also my students — parents who sought to replicate for their children the achievements they experienced.

The continuing support the SDACT has received from parents, students, the media, labor organizations and community leaders begs the question: What can possibly account for Bishop Martino’s behavior? One man wielding absolute authority has contravened 100 years of his Church’s teaching.

As a consequence, his standing as the spiritual leader of the diocese continues to diminish in the eyes of Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

The only way in which one man wielding such destructive power can be brought in line with reality is passage of House Bill 2626.

I urge all concerned with the continued vitality of Catholic education to contact their state representatives and senators and convince them to provide justice and dignity for our teachers via this vital bill.

James W. Lynch ,Vice President
Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers