The Catholic News Agency reports this story about Scranton (PA) Bishop Joseph Martino, who showed up unexpectedly at a non-partisan voter forum held at a parish in Honesdale, PA. Speaking in reference to the USCCB’s document, Faithful Citizenship, Martino apparently dismissed the document and stated, as reported in the local newspaper.

“‘No USCCB document is relevant in this diocese,’ said Martino according to the Wayne Independent. ‘The USCCB doesn’t speak for me….The only relevant document … is my letter,’ he continued, ‘There is one teacher in this diocese, and these points are not debatable.'”

So much for the good bishop’s understanding of episcopal collegiality and the responsibility that each of us has to form and inform our own consciences.