Former Bishop James C. Timlin dies at 95

Apr. 9—The Most Rev. James C. Timlin, a city native and eighth bishop of Scranton, died Sunday at age 95.

Priests who served with Timlin remembered how he put the needs of others before his own, consoling grieving families, paying tuition for young students and creating strong bonds with fellow clergy.

But a 2018 statewide grand jury report on sexual abuse by priests and efforts to cover up the misconduct clouded his legacy. The report stated that Timlin as bishop was notified of at least 20 cases of abuse during his tenure and took questionable actions to deal with the allegations, ignoring his own directives to report abuse.

Church leaders, including Timlin, knew about abuse by priests but allowed them to remain in ministry, according to the report. In one instance, Timlin transferred the Rev. Thomas D. Skotek, a priest who raped a minor girl, got her pregnant and arranged for an abortion, to parishes in Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre, the report said.

Timlin was ordained a bishop on Sept. 21, 1976, and became the first man born within the diocese to serve as bishop of Scranton when he was appointed by Pope St. John Paul II, on April 24, 1984, and installed June 7.

Timlin's 19-year term as bishop — the second-longest in diocesan history — saw him preside over celebrations commemorating the 125th anniversary of the diocese in 1993.

He was born in the High Works section of Scranton on Aug. 5, 1927, the son of the late James C. and Helen Norton Timlin, members of Holy Rosary Parish in the Providence section of Scranton.

Timlin received his early education at St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in South Scranton and graduated from Holy Rosary High School in North Scranton. He studied for the priesthood at St. Charles College, Catonsville, Maryland, and St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, before enrolling in the North American College in Rome.

He was ordained to the priesthood in Rome by Scranton native Archbishop Martin J. O'Connor, then rector of North American College, on July 16, 1951. He was appointed assistant pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Pittston, in 1952.

Timlin was later assigned to St. Peter's Cathedral Parish in Scranton, where he served as assistant pastor until Sept. 12, 1966.

Memories of Timlin flooded Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn's mind as he spent Easter among his own family.

Quinn, who served as rector of St. Peter's Cathedral under Timlin's leadership for 16 years, spoke about his humility and selflessness.

"He was just a wonderfully generous, kind, caring person in every way," Quinn said. "It was never about him. It was always about what others needed and what we could do to help. He truly was a product of this community."

"I was with him earlier this week," said Quinn, pastor of Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Clarks Summit. "It's all I'm thinking about today. I saw his extraordinary work on so many different levels. Throughout all his life, he tried to do the right thing at the right time, in the right way, for the right reasons. He was always there to help."

While Timlin's health began to deteriorate after a fall around Labor Day, leading to his stay at Marywood Heights in Scranton, Quinn stressed his psyche remained strong.

"He was getting older and weaker, but his spirit never faded nor did his smile," he said. "Right to the end, he was sharp-minded, quick-witted, and able to smile about life. He was not one to complain."

Timlin's funeral arrangements are pending, according to the diocese.

The Rev. James Paisley, pastor of St. Therese's in Shavertown and St. Frances Cabrini in Carverton, praised Timlin, who ordained him as a priest in 1985, for shaping his religious journey.

"He was a spiritual father for me," Paisley said. "He was a great man who did the best he was able to do, especially for his priests. He loved all of us as if we were his sons. He always found time to make a personal connection with all of us."

Paisley thought it was fitting Timlin and his auxiliary bishop, the Most Rev. John M. Dougherty, who passed away on Holy Saturday last year, both died during Holy Week.

"I find it kind of interesting and beautiful, in a way, because both died on very special days, and they were very special men," he said.

Monsignor John Jordan met Timlin as a young boy serving his Masses at St. John the Evangelist and later learned under him at the former St. Pius X Seminary in Dalton.

Jordan also served as the superintendent of schools in the diocese for 10 years while Timlin was bishop.

"He was totally dedicated and committed to Catholic education," Jordan said. He was a very pastoral bishop. Perhaps his kindness was his weakness, which is not a bad virtual to carry to the gate of heaven."

Christine Lee, staff writer, contributed to this story.

Contact the writer: rtomkavage@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131; @rtomkavage on Twitter.