21 Facts About Joseph Bambera

Joseph Charles Bambera was born on March 21,1956 and is an American Catholic prelate who has served as Bishop of Scranton since 2010.

Joseph Bambera was born on March 21,1956, in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, to Joseph and Irene Bambera.

Joseph Bambera attended St Rose of Lima Elementary School and graduated from St Rose of Lima High School, both in Carbondale, in 1974.

Joseph Bambera then began his studies for the priesthood, attending the University of Scranton in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and St Pius X Seminary in Dalton, Pennsylvania.

Joseph Bambera continued his studies at Mary Immaculate Seminary in Northampton, Pennsylvania, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1982.

Joseph Bambera was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop J Carroll McCormick on May 14,1983.

In 1987, Joseph Bambera was transferred to the St Peter's Cathedral Parish.

Joseph Bambera served as auditor on the diocesan tribunal, spiritual director of the Legion of Mary chapter, campus minister at Lackawanna College in Scranton and diocesan director of pilgrimages.

In 1989, Joseph Bambera entered St Paul's University in Ottawa, Ontario, earning a Licentiate of Canon Law in 1991.

Joseph Bambera was later named diocesan director of ecumenism and interfaith affairs in 1993, and vicar for priests in 1995.

Joseph Bambera was elevated to a prelate of honour by Pope John Paul II in 1997.

Joseph Bambera was elected chair of the diocesan presbyteral council in 2000 and re-elected in 2002.

Joseph Bambera served as president of the board of pastors at Bishop Hafey High School in Hazelton, Pennsylvania and Bishop O'Hara High School in Dumore, Pennsylvania, along with defender of the bond for the Eparchy of St Maron of Brooklyn in New York City.

Joseph Bambera served as a board member of the University of Scranton from 2003 to 2009, and was named a board member of St Michael's School in Scranton in 2004.

Joseph Bambera became episcopal vicar for the Central Region of the diocese in 2005.

Joseph Bambera was appointed canonical consultant for pastoral planning for the diocese in 2007.

On February 23,2010, Joseph Bambera was appointed as bishop of Scranton by Pope Benedict XVI.

Joseph Bambera, who had served as vicar for priests from 1995 to 1998, admitted that he helped Timlin reassign one priest who had abused a minor, although the decision was made by Timlin.

Joseph Bambera emphasized that since becoming bishop in 2010, he had pursued a zero-tolerance policy toward clerical abuse.

Joseph Bambera announced in October 2024 that Martin Boylan, a diocesan priest, had been laicized by the Vatican.

Joseph Bambera serves as the chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.