Category: Bishop

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Chris Lee

Bishop Morlino issues statement on Holy Thursday washing of feet ritual

MADISON — On Thursday, Jan. 21, the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship announced that Pope Francis had issued the declaration that “from now on, the people chosen for the washing of the feet in the Liturgy of Holy Thursday may be selected from all the People of God, and not only men . . . ,” thus changing the rule and allowing women to be among those chosen to have their feet washed during the Holy Thursday ritual for the first time.

As with every change in the ritual or law of the Church, the practices and permissions in the Diocese of Madison will be in full accord with those of the Universal Church.

Upon learning of the announcement, Bishop Robert C. Morlino offered the following statement:

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Brent King, Director of Communications, Diocese of Madison

Appellate tribunal confirms guilty verdict of Fr. Gerald Vosen

MADISON — Diocese of Madison officials were recently notified by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, in Rome, of the publication of the findings of the appellate tribunal court’s hearing of the appeal of Fr. Gerald Vosen, who was placed on administrative leave in 2004 and formally suspended since 2008.

With this release, we inform the faithful of the diocese and the general public of the appellate tribunal’s conclusions.

The appellate tribunal has confirmed the finding of the first-instance tribunal (Diocese of Madison’s — 2007) that Fr. Gerald Vosen is guilty of two offenses against the sixth commandment (sexual misconduct), with minors under the age of 16.

Likewise, the appellate tribunal confirmed the penalty issued by the first-instance tribunal, namely, Father Vosen’s permanent removal from all ecclesiastical ministry with the admonition to lead a life of prayer and penance. No further right to appeal exists.

The confirmation of this penalty means that Father Vosen is not to exercise any public ministry, whatsoever, nor is he to present himself publically as a minister of the Church, including by wearing clerical dress.

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the Office of the Bishop

Bishop Morlino seeks input for next October’s Synod

By way of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, has asked every bishop of the United States to submit a report responding to the Lineamenta and its questions for the purpose of contributing to the “Working Document” of the Ordinary Synod, to be held October 4 to 25.

Bishops are specifically encouraged to gather the thoughts and responses of a wide range of people in their dioceses in drafting their own reports.

To that end, we’d first like to make people in the diocese aware of the Lineamenta and the bishop’s invitation for them to read, reflect upon, pray about, and respond to the document in writing.

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Chris Lee

Statement from Bishop Robert C. Morlino, regarding a federal judge’s ruling on marriage

Statement from Bishop Robert C. Morlino, regarding a federal judge’s ruling on marriage /Article XIII, Section 13 of Wisconsin’s Constitution:

First, it bears repeating that, we must respect, love, and care for every individual we encounter, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or how they define themselves. This will never change. It is at the core of who we are as members of Christ’s Church. Christ, Himself, invites each individual to know and love Him and live a life in response to His love. His love and mercy can heal all divisions that separate us; however, we must acknowledge the divisions that exist — notably those we choose through our actions. All are invited to this love and these graces offered by Christ, through His Church. This applies to all who sincerely seek the Truth.

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