Joseph Bambera was born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, to Joseph and Irene (née Kucharski) Bambera.[1]
One of two children, he has a sister, Karen.[1] He attended St. Rose of Lima Elementary School and graduated from St. Rose of Lima High School in 1974.[2] Following graduation, Bambera entered the University of Pittsburgh and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history in 1978.[3]
Bambera was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Scranton by Bishop John J. O'Connor on November 5, 1983.[4] After his ordination, Bambera was assigned as an assistant pastor at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he remained for four years.[5]
Upon his return to Scranton, Bambera was appointed a judge on the diocesan tribunal.[1] He was later named diocesan director of ecumenism and interfaith affairs in 1993, and vicar for priests in 1995.[2] During his time as priest, Bambera served as pastor in several Pennsylvania parishes:
Bambera became episcopal vicar for the Central Region of the diocese in 2005.[2] He was appointed canonical consultant for pastoral planning for the diocese in 2007.[1] On August 31, 2009, Bambera was chosen to serve as delegate to Cardinal Justin Rigali, who was the apostolic administrator of the diocese following the resignation of Bishop Joseph Martino.[3] In this position, Bambera oversaw the day-to-day operations of the diocese during the sede vacante.[3]
Bishop of Scranton
On February 23, 2010, Bambera was appointed as bishop of the Diocese of Scranton by Pope Benedict XVI.[4][6] Following the appointment, Bambera stated,
With deep humility, I offer thanks to Almighty God through whose providence and grace I've been called to serve the people of God in the Diocese of Scranton as bishop...As we begin a new chapter in the life of the Diocese of Scranton, may we continue to collaborate and to work together as we pursue charity and truth.
His episcopalconsecration and installation took place at the Cathedral of St. Peter on April 26,[2] and Cardinal Rigali ceased as apostolic administrator.
On August 31, 2018, Bambera forbade predecessor Bishop James Timlin from representing the diocese in public, given Timlin's failure to protect children from abusers.[7] 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.[7] Bambera emphasized that since becoming bishop in 2010, he had pursued a zero-tolerance policy toward clerical abuse.[7]
