The news of my appointment as the new bishop of La Crosse came—as such calls always do—quite unexpectedly, in the late afternoon of a lazy Memorial Day. I must say, it added new dimensions to my enjoyment of bratwurst and beer. In prayerful preparation for this day, however, I found great comfort in the knowledge that the Lord’s call to greater service in His Church came in the midst of something so ordinary as a first summer picnic; but that’s the way it is, isn’t it, folks? God speaks to us in our humanity, in the performance of our ordinary daily tasks. We have come to know by our faith and our direct experience that God is not an “intruder” from outside the human condition imposing Himself upon humanity; rather, God has revealed Himself as one with the human condition, radically and profoundly present in the mystery of human life and experience. Thus, the call from the Nuncio, while it was at once challenging and daunting, became a personal invitation from Jesus to put out even further into the deep—with Him. I’d like you to consider that invitation with me.
How blessed we are to have so many faithful consecrated religious women and men in the diocese. As many of you know, today I also celebrate my fortieth anniversary of consecration to the Lord as a Conventual Franciscan friar. I am aware of the tremendous and awesome gift religious life can be in the local Church. I heartily intend to call you to the fullest measure of your authentic charisms and gifts to be used in faithful service for this diocese and for the common good of the Church. [Wowza! WOOOWZA! Them is fightin woids]
Now, please allow me a moment to add a somewhat difficult, but necessary comment. We have faced pain and heartache as a Church. There is justifiable anger, disappointment, and frustration concerning the issue of the sexual abuse crisis. No pain that we feel as a Church can ever equal the pain of those who have been harmed by clergy sexual abuse. To the victims/ survivors of such abuse I apologize for the harm that has been done. I apologize personally, sincerely and humbly. We cannot replace that pain, but we can work together with those who have been hurt to bring about some healing. Most importantly, we pledge our firm resolve to do everything possible to make sure nothing like this can ever happen again.
As Pope John Paul II said: “there is no place in the priesthood for anyone who would harm a child.” I agree.
As your new bishop, I reiterate to this pledge of my predecessors and of our Holy Father to you. I commit myself and the members of our diocesan, parish, and school staffs to the rigorous implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Necessary procedures and policies will be clearly stated and enforced to ensure that children are kept safe and perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.[intends to change policy?] I pledge to remain vigilant in the implementation of these programs and promise that they will be a priority of my ministry here. Together, with prayerful vigilance we will move forward.
WKBT Channel 8 La Crosse
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