That is the one word summary for the sudden departure of Scranton Bishop Joseph Martino, who had more to say on the subject this morning at a news conference:

After officially announcing his resignation this morning, Diocese of Scranton Bishop Joseph Martino said he had formally submitted the resignation to the pope in June and it had been accepted around the end of July. Martino also said he had first raised the possibility of resigning with Cardinal Justin Rigali a year ago.

Rigali, head of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia joined Martino and Auxiliary Bishop John Dougherty in a studio on the third floor of the Guild building in Scranton to announce the resignation of Martino and Dougherty.

Martino said stress of the job had caused insomnia and severe bouts of fatigue that, in turn, left his immune system weak. “I had three bouts of flu this last semester, and that has never happened,” he said.

Gettting the news out in public after keeping it secret for three months was a great relief, Martino said. “I’m feeling very free and much lighter.” He said he expects to stay in the Diocese of Scranton for the foreseeable future but has “cleared the calendar” for the next several months, though he expects to be available to help as needed after that.

Rigali was appointed Apostolic Administrator, but noted he must still run the Philadelphia Archdiocese, so he appointed Monsignor Joseph Bambera as his official delegate in Scranton, giving him the title of “vicar general.” After the press conference Bambera tooka few questions, expressing surprise and humility.

Noting he is pastor of the Church near Archibald where a ceiling collapsed, he said he got a call from Rigali 24 hours after that collalpse telling him of the looming appointment. “So things continue to fall on me,” he said with a laugh. Bambera also noted he prefers to be a pastor priest and will continue to minister at St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Mary Churches, though an assistant will be appointed. He said he hopes that, after a new bishop is installed, he can return to that full-time.

“I will be back nailing up the ceiling, somehow.”

Asked if he would take any steps regarding the closing of numerous churches ordered by Martino, Bambera noted that he is Rigali’s delegate and will be reporting to him, and that the Cardinal will make any such decisions. But he added that the process is complete and the decisions have been made. “Life goes on.”

The press conference began with a brief introduction by Scranton Diocese Spokesman Bill Genello, followed by prepared remarks by Martino, who started, as always, with a religious reference, “May Jesus Christ be praised.”

Martino noted that shorly after taking office he ralized “something had to be done to halt the rapid financial deterioration of our diocese,” citing costs of having too many schools and parishes, and poor distribution of resouirces in the 11-county diocese. He admitted his decisions in reshaping the diocese had not been universally welcome.

“For some time now, there has not been a clear consenus among the clergy and people of the Diocese of Scranton regarding my pastoral initiatives or my way of governance,” he said, “This development has caused me great sorrow, resulting in bouts of insomnia and at times a crippling physical fatigue.”

The diocese needs a bishop who “is at least physically vigorous,” Martino said. “I am not that bishop.”

Check out more at the link. Those interested can watch the news conference here.

UPDATE: Michael Paulson at the Boston Globe has some more context — along with a couple interesting links — that will have many wondering what was really behind the Martino move.