Tag: clergy

On
Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Mass of reparation for sins of sexual abuse

mass of reparation
Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison kneels in prayer with Fr. Scott Emerson, left, priest secretary and master of ceremonies to the bishop, and Msgr. James Bartylla, right, vicar general for the Diocese of Madison, at the start of Mass on September 14. The Mass at the Bishop O’Donnell Holy Name Oratory at Holy Name Heights in Madison was for the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross and day of reparation for sins of sexual abuse by clergy and the episcopacy. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)

MADISON — “I want to pray today with you for those who have committed terrible sins, sins of sacrilege, sins that cry to heaven for vengeance,” said Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison.

His words came during a Mass on September 14 for the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross and day of reparation for sins of sexual abuse by clergy and the episcopacy.

The Mass was held in the Bishop O’Donnell Holy Name Oratory at Holy Name Heights in Madison.

Repentance and reparation

After Bishop Morlino processed into Mass, he knelt before the altar, along with concelebrant Msgr. James Bartylla, vicar general for the diocese; Fr. Scott Emerson, priest secretary and master of ceremonies to the bishop; and Deacon Jim Hoegemeier, who later read the Gospel.

Everyone at the Mass knelt in silent prayer with the bishop.

Following this silent prayer, the bishop acknowledged a similar tone to Good Friday, as he was without his episcopal ring and crosier.

He reminded everyone, along with the repentance and sorrow felt for the actions recently come to light committed by priests and bishops, to acknowledge “our sins, not someone else’s.”

The Cross and healing

During his homily, Bishop Morlino, referenced the Gospel reading — “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him (John 3:17)” and said, “The very sight of the Cross brings healing.”

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Pope shows how Church must protect children

Many years ago, I received a phone call from someone who complained that a priest had been removed from her parish because of an allegation of sexual abuse of a child. (We have had very few such cases in our diocese, thanks be to God and the vigilance of our bishops and diocesan leaders.)

The caller said to me, “He was such a wonderful priest. I can’t imagine that he would harm a child.”

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On
Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison

Serving the Truth to the world

Editor’s Note: The following is a copy of Bishop Morlino’s Homily for the celebration of the Ordination to the Diaconate of Rev. Mr. Vincent Brewer and Rev. Mr. Garrett Kau, for the Diocese of Madison.

This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop.

We know that the Holy Spirit hovers over this celebration tonight and that in just a few moments, the Holy Spirit is going to rush onto your souls and He’s going to change you, Vince and Garrett, into the person of Jesus Christ, the servant. This will be a lifelong change at the deepest level of your soul and you will be very different when you go to sleep tonight, than you were when you woke up this morning. And if you had moments of nervousness about this today, they will disappear, as the Holy Spirit will take up residence at the deepest level of your soul, in a whole new way — and it really is a big deal!

In the Second Reading, from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 8:26-40), we heard the Ethiopian eunuch reading from the Prophet Isaiah, and talking about Jesus, the suffering servant. Of course, the identity of the diaconate is all about being servant — servant of the Word, and servant of charity. It’s a very interesting description that we have of the servanthood of Jesus, this description of the suffering servant.

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Sr. Margie Lavonis

Where are the vocations?

Cutting Edge by Sr. Margie Lavonis

The shortage of priests and religious men and women in the Church, particularly in Europe and North America, is common these days. Many international congregations like my own, the Sisters of the Holy Cross, are still getting new members, but in countries other than the United States. Many consider it a crisis.

Too often when we speak of vocations we limit that term to mean the call to ordained ministry and the consecrated life. When we pray for vocations, we usually ask God to inspire young people to answer a call to be Sisters, Brothers, and priests. Once in a while we might include the call to lay ministry in the Church, but that is the exception.

God calls each of us

We do not have to look far to find vocations. The truth is that each baptized person has a vocation, not just religious and clergy. By our Baptism each of us is called to share the mission of Jesus. As disciples of Jesus, every Christian is called to reveal God’s unconditional love and to spread that love to others. The next time you are at a Baptism liturgy listen closely to the prayers.

 

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On
Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison

Priests: Chosen by Holy Spirit, working with Christ
This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop.

Dear Friends,

Despite the continued focus on the horrendous crimes of a relatively few priests within the Church, we move forward, a people of faith, cognizant of the fact that our Church is made up of sinners — our priests and bishops included — but that each of us has faith that it is Jesus Christ Himself who founded this Church, for our Salvation, and that He has sent the Holy Spirit to protect His Church from “the gates of hell.”

No matter the sins of Her members, even the terrible sins of a few of Her ministers, the Holy Spirit remains with the Bride of Christ, to care for Her, to reconcile all Her members to Christ, and to grant us everlasting life.

As one Body, each member of the Church is affected when another causes injury. We all feel profoundly the wounds inflicted by a few, and we must do all that we can to bring healing to those wounded. I don’t know that I’ve experienced that empathetic pain in anyone more than in our good priests and bishops. And that brings me to the point of this column.

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