Since learning of his appointment while enjoying brats and beer at a Memorial Day picnic, Callahan said he has come to understand God speaks most clearly during the everyday, human moments.LaCrosseTribune
And part of that work, he said, is healing the pain left by charges against the Rev. Patrick Umberger, former priest at St. Patrick's Parish in Onalaska, who was accused in mid-July of having accused of having three images of child pornography on his computer.
"We have faced pain. There is justifiable anger, distrust and frustration. I apologize for the harm that has been done," Callahan said.
WXOW 19 La Crosse has some video
WQOW 18 Eau Claire is also ABC so I think its the same video
"The bishop is the sacramental presence of Christ, the head of the church. And the church is really somewhat of an orphan when it doesn't have it's bishop," Msgr. Robert Hundt.WKBT(They are located right across the street from the Cathedral, the only news station in La Crosse)
Priests in the diocese say they're already looking forward to what Bishop Callahan will bring to the local area.
"I'm hoping the fact that he's fairly local, he's lived in Milwaukee and Chicago for some years I think it means that he'll really connect well with the clergy here and the people," said Ft.(sic et al) Joseph Redfern, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Altoona.
"I think he'll be decisive when he needs to be. He is a pastor, and he is a priest's priest. And he is wonderful with people. He is very warm and approachable," said Ft. Jesse Burish, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in La Crosse.
Parish leaders say the new bishop will have some difficult decisions to make as he steps in as the new leader of the La Crosse Diocese, but have faith Callahan is well-equipped.
"He is the good Shepard and that's the kind of leadership we need. And every bishop strives to offer that," said Ft. Douglas Robertson, Mary Mother of the Church in La Crosse.
And clergy members look forward to the promises of leadership he's made in addressing sexual abuse.
"It doesn't always just come down to the bishop. Obviously the bishop is an important role to coordinate things, but also to delegate them to the right people. And I think that the bishop can continue to utilize those same resources, not to do any cover up, but to do the best to serve the people of God and make sure the people of God are well protected from these sort of things," said Ft. Redfern.
Bishop Callahan's first assignment after being installed is to go to the parish within the diocese that's suffering the most.
Sunday he will attend mass at St. Patrick's Church in Onalaska where former Father Patrick Umberger was recently charged for possession of child pornography.
The new bishop threw in some comedic moments, as he joked on how he literally “got the call” to his new appointment.WEAU 13 Eau Claire
"The call came quiet unexpectedly on a lazy Memorial Day afternoon. It brought more enjoyment to my brat and beer,” he quipped.
Oddly, several other news companies in the diocese didn't even have a brief write up... I guess good news is no news? Archbishop Dolan is standing next to Arch Listecki in this photo.
Don't forget you can watch the whole installation with the ABC feed(and commentator Fr. Mark Pierce of the Newman Center in La Crosse) at CatholicTV.com
3 comments:
It was a truly glorious day for the Church in our Diocese of La Crosse.
Having Archbishops Burke and Listecki present was a real grace. There was a great turnout of our diocesan priests, as well as friars from the Conventual Franciscans and Milwaukee priests.
Bishop Callahan gave a great homily.
Sorry to have missed meeting you, Matt; we had to get back to visit someone in the hospital in Eau Claire before it got too late.
But I did see you with your "wee lad" in the aisles.
Maybe on August 21 at the Shrine when things are so chaotic...I had to get out of the direct sun after the Mass for fear I was going to pass out! It was hot!!
It was a sauna out there Father! I was on the lookout for you but it turns out there were more priests than laity! (or pretty close anyway) We got to go up and greet the bishop as reps of the Cathedral parish at the beginning. He blessed our two boys which we were grateful for. Would have liked to kneel but we were told there wouldn't be enough time to kneel for a blessing. 2 1/2 hours for the whole thing so I guess they were right! Yes, the Symposium would be a good time, and hopefully a bit cooler.
I'm linking this blog to our blog...again, thanks for your reporting. You do a great job!
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