Early life and education Joseph Bambera was born on March 21, 1956, in
Carbondale,
Pennsylvania, to Joseph and Irene (née Kucharski) Bambera. One of two children, he has a sister, Karen. He attended St. Rose of Lima Elementary School and graduated from
St. Rose of Lima High School, both in Carbondale, in 1974. Following his graduation, Bambera entered the
University of Pittsburgh, earning a
Bachelor of Arts degree in art history there in 1978. Bambera then began his studies for the
priesthood, attending the
University of Scranton in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and St. Pius X Seminary in
Dalton, Pennsylvania. He continued his studies at
Mary Immaculate Seminary in
Northampton, Pennsylvania, where he earned a
Master of Divinity degree in 1982. After his ordination, the diocese assigned Bambera as an
assistant pastor at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Scranton, where he remained for four years. In 1987, Bambera was transferred to the St. Peter's Cathedral Parish. He served as
auditor on the diocesan tribunal,
spiritual director of the
Legion of Mary chapter, campus minister at
Lackawanna College in Scranton and diocesan director of
pilgrimages. Following the appointment, Bambera stated, Bambera's
episcopal consecration and installation took place at the St. Peter's Cathedral on April 26, 2010, with Rigali as the principal consecrator and Bishops
James Timlin and
John Dougherty serving as co-consecrators. 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. Bambera remarked;“No one should ever have to endure such trauma, and it is our responsibility to ensure that all survivors are heard, supported, and empowered to heal.” ==See also==