Honorary Degree Recipient

During the Commencement ceremony on Saturday May 18, Misericordia University will present Mr. Bernstein and the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton, with honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Bambera to be the 10th Bishop of Scranton on Feb. 23, 2010 after serving numerous Diocesan positions. He was ordained into the Priesthood on Nov. 5, 1983 by the Most Rev. John J. O’Connor, former Bishop of Scranton. Bishop Bambera was made a Prelate of Honor by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II in March, 1997.

Bishop Bambera has held various pastoral assignments, including at the Church of St. Mary of the Assumption, Scranton; the Cathedral of Saint Peter, Scranton; the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, Scranton; the Church of Saint John Bosco, Conyngham; the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dickson City; and the Church of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Archbald; and the Church of Saint Mary of Czestochowa, Eynon.

Bishop Bambera has served as Episcopal Vicar for the Central Region of the Diocese of Scranton; Canonical Consultant for Pastoral Planning for the Diocese; the Diocesan Director of Ecumenism and Interfaith Affairs, Vicar for Priests and Diocesan Director of Continuing Education for Priests. He was Director of Formation at the former Saint Pius X Seminary, Dalton; a member of the College of Diocesan Consultors; and Chairman of the Presbyteral Council. He also was moderator of The Diocesan Annual Appeal for 2001, 2002 and 2003.

In addition, Bishop Bambera was an Auditor in the Tribunal of the Diocese of Scranton, Diocesan Spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary, Campus Minister at Lackawanna Junior College and Diocesan Director of Pilgrimages.

He is a past member of the Diocesan Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission, the Diocesan Seminary Admissions Committee, the Diaconate Advisory Board, the Office of Continuing Education for Priests Advisory Board, the Diocesan Independent Review Board, the Priests’ Retirement Board, the Vocations Advisory Board and the Diocesan Liturgical Commission. He is a past president of the Board of Pastors at the former Bishop Hafey High School, Hazleton and Bishop O’Hara High School, Dunmore. He is a former Trustee of the University of Scranton and the former St. Michael’s School, Hoban Heights.

Bishop Bambera holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa., and a Master of Divinity degree from Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, Pa. In 1991, he was awarded a Licentiate in Canon Law from St. Paul’s University, Ottawa, Canada, and a master’s degree in Canon Law from the University of Ottawa, Canada. He also attended the University of Scranton, pursuing courses in theology and philosophy. “Bishop Bambera has taken a special interest in the Catholic colleges and universities in the Diocese,’’ said President MacDowell. “His leadership in many ways, the obvious care he has expressed for the region’s college students and his willingness to present on Misericordia’s campus on special occasions have made him very much a part of our campus community.’’ Mr. Bernstein is returning to campus after being the guest lecturer for the inaugural Dr. Midori Yamanouchi Lecture Series last April in which he made a presentation about Pope John Paul II in Lemmond Theater in Walsh Hall. He also participated in an intimate question-and-answer session with communications students in which they talked about Watergate and the current culture in Washington, D.C.