Papal honors conferred in the Diocese of Madison

	Bishop Robert C. Morlino presents Msgr. Monte Robinson with the papal decree. At left, Msgr. Larry Bakke, who received the same honor, applauds. (Catholic Herald photos/Kevin Wondrash)
	Bishop Morlino honors Sir William Yallaly as a knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Pope Saint Sylvester.

MADISON — When Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison offered a reflection on the events of the evening of October 18, he called it, “an acknowledgment that the Church is alive here in Madison and very good things are happening.”

On that evening, at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison, Bishop Morlino presided over solemn vespers and the investiture of Msgr. Monte Robinson, Msgr. Larry Bakke, and Sir William Yallaly, as their papal honors were celebrated.

Papal honors

Earlier this year, Monsignor Bakke and Monsignor Robinson were both honored as Chaplains of His Holiness — an honor granted to priests recognizing their exceptional service to the Church – which allows them to be addressed as “Monsignor.” The chaplain becomes part of the “papal household.”

Sir Yallaly was honored with Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Pope St. Sylvester — honoring Catholic lay men and women who are actively involved in the Church and successful in the exercise of their professional duties.

Comments by bishop

Prior to the Presentation of the Candidates by Msgr. James Bartylla, vicar general of the diocese, Bishop Morlino said of Monsignor Robinson, pastor of St. Philomena, Belmont, and the Congregation of St. Mary/St. Paul, Mineral Point, “The Church is alive because we have a priest like Msgr. Monte Robinson who is giving us a wonderful example these days that if we live, we live in the Lord, and if we die, we die as his servants.”

Monsignor Robinson is currently battling a serious illness.

Of Monsignor Bakke, pastor of St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Brodhead and Monroe and director of the Apostolate to the Handicapped, the bishop said, “Monsignor Larry has taken on many different missions in the diocese . . . not the least of which is following Monsignor [Thomas] Campion . . . it’s important that monsignor follow monsignor” as director of the Apostolate to the Handicapped.

Of Yallaly, chancellor of the Diocese of Madison, the bishop praised his work for the diocese saying, “He has always done so with an excellent level of dedication and of real piety . . . he has a real devoted heart toward the Lord and His mother.”

Bishop Morlino then conferred the honors on each of the men as the vespers ceremony continued.

The two monsignors renewed their priestly promises before the bishop as they did during their ordinations.

“We’re proud, we’re joyful, and we go forward wanting this Church of Madison to stay very close always to the Church of Rome,” Bishop Morlino said.

	Msgr. Lawrence Bakke Ordained: May 23, 1975 Current assignment: Pastor, St. Clare of Assisi, Brodhead and Monroe; director, Apostolate to the Handicapped Previous roles: Chaplain, University Hospital, Madison. Administrator, St. Joseph, Baraboo. Pastor, Holy Redeemer, Madison; St. Albert the Great, Sun Prairie. Associate, St. Albert the Great, Sun Prairie; St. Bernard, Madison. Director, Camp Gray, Baraboo.	Msgr. Monte Robinson Ordained: May 23, 1975 Current assignment: Pastor, St. Philomena, Belmont, and Congregation of St. Mary/St. Paul, Mineral Point. Previous roles: Pastor, St. Michael, Calamine, and Immaculate Conception, Truman; St. Mary, Bloomington and St. John, Patch Grove. Associate, St. John the Baptist, Waunakee; St. Rose of Lima, Cuba City; St. William, Janesville. Deacon, Sacred Hearts, Sun Prairie.	Sir William Yallaly Employed in Diocese of Madison: since 2007 Current position: Chancellor, Diocese of Madison; executive advisor to the bishop. Previous roles: Assistant to the bishop, associate director of communications. Family: Wife Bridget and three children, members of St. Christopher, Verona.