A retired Scranton bishop who allegedly helped cover up decades of sex abuse cases defied the diocese and attended a national Catholic conference at which U.S. bishops were considering new steps to address the abuse crisis in the American church.
Bishop Emeritus James Timlin, permanently banned from representing the diocese, attended the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ general assembly in Baltimore against the wishes of current Bishop Joseph Bambera, a diocesan official confirmed Monday night.
“While Bishop Timlin is forbidden from representing the Diocese of Scranton, membership in the USCCB and attendance at conferences is beyond the control of Bishop Bambera,” spokesman Bill Genello wrote in a brief email to the Times Leader on Monday night.
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