Background
Bambera, Joseph C. was born on March 21, 1956 in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Joseph and Irene (Kucharski) Bambera.
Bambera, Joseph C. was born on March 21, 1956 in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Joseph and Irene (Kucharski) Bambera.
Bachelor, University Pittsburgh, 1978. Attended, University Scranton. Attended, St. Pius X Seminary, Dalton, Pennsylvania.
Master of Divinity, Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, Pennsylvania, 1982. LCL, University Ottawa, 1991.
He is the tenth and current Bishop of Scranton, serving since April 26, 2010. Early life and education
One of two children, he has a sister, Karen. Following graduation, he entered the University of Pittsburgh and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History in 1978.
He then began his studies for the priesthood, attending the University of Scranton and Saint Pius X Seminary in Dalton.
He was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick on May 14, 1983, and to the priesthood by Bishop John Jay O"Connor on November 5, 1983. Priestly ministry
Bambera"s first assignment was as an assistant pastor at Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish in Scranton, where he remained for four years.
In 1987, he was transferred to the Saint Peter"s Cathedral and also served as auditor on the diocesan tribunal, spiritual director of the Legion of Mary, campus minister at Lackawanna College, and diocesan director of pilgrimages. In 1989, he was sent to further his studies in canon law at Saint Paul"s University in Ottawa, Canada.
He earned a Licentiate of Canon Law from Saint Paul"s in 1991.
Upon his return to Scranton, Bambera was appointed a judge on the diocesan tribunal. He served as pastor of the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in Scranton (1994–1997), of the Church of Saint John Bosco in Conyngham (1998–2001), and of the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Dickson City (2001–2007). He was made a Prelate of Honour by Pope John Paul II in 1997, and became episcopal vicar for the Central Region of the diocese in 2005.
In July 2007, he was named pastor of both the Church of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Archbald and the Church of Saint Mary of Czestochowa in Eynon.
He was also appointed canonical consultant for Pastoral Planning for the diocese at that time. He was elected chairman of the diocesan presbyteral council in 2000, and re-elected in 2002.
He also served as president of the Board of Pastors at Bishop Hafey High School and Bishop O"Hara High School, and as defender of the bond for the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn. On August 31, 2009, Bambera was chosen to serve as delegate to Cardinal Justin Francis Rigali, who was the apostolic administrator of the diocese following the resignation of Bishop Joseph Francis Martino.
In this position, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the diocese during the sede vacante.
Bishop of Scranton
On February 23, 2010, Bambera was appointed the bishop of Scranton by Pope Benedict XVI. Following the appointment, he stated,
His episcopal consecration and installation took place at the Cathedral of Saint Peter on April 26. As Bishop, Bambera serves as the spiritual leader of the 350,000 Catholics in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Diocese of Scranton currently faces "formidable challenges" on personnel and financial matters.
He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Scranton from 2003 to 2009, and was named a member of the Board of Trustees of Saint Michael"s School in Hoban Heights in 2004.