SCRANTON (PA)
Pocono Record [Stroudsburg PA]
April 15, 2023
By Ashley Catherine Fontones
Funeral services have been scheduled in remembrance of James C. Timlin, a former Bishop of Scranton.
Bishop Timlin, who was the eighth Bishop of the diocese, passed away “peacefully in his sleep” early Easter Sunday at Marywood Heights in Scranton. He was 95 years old.
“On behalf of the priests, deacons, religious and laity of the Diocese of Scranton, I extend my sympathy, condolences and prayers to Bishop Timlin’s family and friends,” the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, said. “Bishop Timlin was a prayerful man devoted to serving the faithful of northeastern and north central Pennsylvania as a priest and bishop for more than 70 years. May God grant Bishop Timlin the gift of eternal life and give consolation to all those who loved and respected him.”
The bishop’s obituary says Timlin was the “first man born within the Diocese of Scranton to serve as its shepherd.”
Timlin was born in the High Works section of Scranton on Aug. 5, 1927, son of the late James C. and HelenNorton Timlin, members of Holy Rosary Parish in the Providence section of Scranton.
Timlin received his early education at Saint John the Evangelist Elementary School in South Scranton and graduated from Holy Rosary High School, North Scranton. According to his obituary, Timlin began studying for the priesthood at Saint Charles College in Maryland and Saint Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, before enrolling in the North American College in Rome.
Timlin was ordained in Rome by Scranton native Archbishop Martin J. O’Connor in 1951. Timlin then went on to continue studying in Rome before returning home to northeast Pennsylvania, where he was appointed assistant pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Pittston in 1952. Timlin went on to serve as assistant pastor at the Cathedral Parish of Saint Peter in Scranton until 1966, when he was named assistant chancellor of the Diocese and secretary to the Most Rev. J. Carroll McCormick, sixth bishop of Scranton.
He was elevated to the rank of Monsignor when he was named a Prelate of His Holiness by PopePaul VI on April 23, 1972.
Timlin went on to serve the Catholic community in northeast Pa. in a variety of offices, including the Diocesan Board of Consultors, before being named Auxiliary Bishop of Scranton in August of 1976. Timlin continued on in a variety of functions until being appointed eighth Bishop of Scranton by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1984.
“Bishop Timlin’s 19-year episcopacy as Shepherd of the Scranton See — the second-longest thus far in Diocesan history — saw the Scranton native son preside over the grand celebrations commemorating the 125thAnniversary of the Diocese of Scranton in 1993,” his obituary reads.
After resigning as Bishop, as required by Canon Law as his 75th birthday approached, Timlin worked as Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Scranton. He was succeeded in his service as bishop by ninth Bishop Joseph F. Martino.
As Bishop Emeritus, Timlin was appointed administrator of Saint Joseph Church in Wilkes-Barre from Feb. 4, 2004, to July 6, 2004. He went on to serve as Rector of the Villa Saint Joseph, a home for retired priests of the Diocese of Scranton in Dunmore.
Embattled history related to coverups of sexual abuse
Timlin was named in the landmark 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury investigation regarding allegations against the mishandling and perpetration of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic clergy in the state.
The investigation and report that followed criticized Timlin’s response to sexual abuse allegations against a Luzerne County priest that reportedly raped and impregnated a teenaged girl from the St. Casimir Parish in Freeland. The incidents of rape were said to have occurred between 1980 and 1985. Timlin reportedly learned about the crime in 1986, and sent the priest, Thomas Skotek, to an institute in Maryland for psychological evaluation.
According to a 2018 report from the Times Leader, Timlin had knowledge of more than two dozen cases of abuse before and during his time as Bishop.
The diocese released a statement regarding Timlin’s upcoming funeral, which is slated for Tuesday.
“In making this announcement, the Diocese of Scranton acknowledges the sensitive circumstances of planning this funeral, which must balance Bishop Timlin’s full life of service to the church with a clear understanding of imperfect judgments related to clergy sexual abuse. We pray for all sexual abuse survivors and hope they find healing and peace,” the statement reads.
The diocese continues on to note that every Christian has the right to a funeral Mass.
Public visitation for Timlin will be held from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at the Cathedral ofSaint Peter (315 Wyoming Ave., Scranton). A funeral Mass will follow at 2 p.m., presided by Bishop Bambera. Timlin will be interred in Cathedral Cemetery following the funeral Mass.
The funeral Mass will be broadcast live on Catholic Television for those unable to attend in person. Memorials may be made to Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton or the Diocese of Scranton Catholic Schools Scholarship Foundation.
Bishop Bambera will celebrate a healing Mass for survivors of abuse at 12:10 p.m. Thursday at the Cathedral of Saint Peter.
If you, or someone you know, has suffered a sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. Visit rainn.org/resources to learn more about help available.
To learn more about the Diocese of Scranton’s Child Protection Victim Assistance program, go to dioceseofscranton.org/child-protection-victim-assistance. For a list of credibly accused individuals, go to dioceseofscranton.org/child-protection-victim-assistance/credibly-accused-individuals.