Heavens to Betsy!

Bishop Joseph F. Martino, who has been ruthlessly crippling Catholic education and unity throughout the Diocese of Scranton, did find the time to praise Louis DeNaples and his family to high heaven.

On Feb. 29, Martino celebrated Mass and dedicated a new $35 million student center at the University of Scranton which was financed either in all or in great part by DeNaples, a longtime Dunmore businessman.

"I congratulate the DeNaples family," Martino told those in attendance. "I don't know what I'd do without the assistance I receive from this wonderful family."

DeNaples, who reportedly is a billionaire, is awaiting trial for perjury after being accused of having lied to the State Gaming Control Board when asked if he had ties to organized crime figures.

At the time, DeNaples was attempting to acquire a license to operate the Mount Airy Casino Resort in the Poconos. After receiving the board's approval, it reportedly cost him $412 million to construct and equip.

However, DeNaples' license has since been suspended and DeNaples has been ordered not to set foot inside the casino. He attempted -- unsuccessfully -- to have the casino license transferred to other members of his family a few months ago..

The Rev. Joseph Sica, a close friend of DeNaples who similiarly is facing perjury charges after being accused of misrepresenting his relationship with reputed mob boss Russell Bufalino, attended the Mass in conjunction with what has been called the Patrick and Margaret DeNaples Center..

Also praising DeNaples to the gates of heaven was the Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., president of the university, who stated that his "heart was filled with great gratitude" for the generosity of the DeNaples family.

Martino has been responsible for closing a number of Catholic parochial and high schools within the diocese; either having closed or scheduling the closing of a number of churches under his jurisdiction, and recently announced that the diocese would no longer recognize the teachers' union as a collective bargaining unit.

You can read more about Louis DeNaples at

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