The Diocese of La Crosse is “not doing real well financially,” says Bishop William P. Callahan, who nonetheless sees a bright future as people respond to the church’s needs.continue at La Crosse Tribune(full interview plus audio)
That future may include parish consolidations and different educational models, Callahan said in a rare, wide-ranging exclusive interview with the Tribune.
A member of the Conventual Franciscan order who has presided over the 19-county diocese since August 2010, Callahan also acknowledged the economy’s effect on people’s ability to donate to the church.
“Our economy stinks,” he said. “Our people are suffering, so the expectation is not that we are going to be out there hitting them over the head saying give or else.”
Callahan addressed the church’s problems with sexual abuse, his position against gay marriage and abortion, and the church’s recent battles with the federal government over mandates that religious institutions provide insurance coverage for their workers for contraceptives, sterilizations and abortion drugs.
Callahan became bishop shortly after the Rev. Patrick Umberger resigned as pastor at St. Patrick Parish in St. Onalaska after being charged with child pornography. Umberger, who was not accused of abusing children, died with the case pending.
St. Patrick was one of the first churches Callahan visited after becoming bishop in an effort to salve parishioners’ hurt and anger over the incident.
Asked whether the parish has healed, Callahan said, “I would like to say we’re more healed than not.”
Perhaps a less polarizing figure than some of his predecessors, Callahan spoke candidly about the diocese’s strengths, weaknesses and its future.
I think the Trib is not happy for being denied interviews with Cdl. Burke. Kudos to Bp. Callahan for doing the interview. The interviewer was not at all hostile so hopefully we can see more of this.
.... Is Bp. Callahan a master of holding his cards to his chest? He's pretty vague in some of the answers, particularly the financial ones.
On HHS mandate/contraception "It’s not something where you have a priest following after you and saying this is bad, you’re going to hell. Hopefully, we are so far beyond that."
On Catholic education "I think there are some new options. I think there are some new things that we need to develop. I think there are some new thinkers out there who are going to rethink our educational system. I think we are going to create some new models. I’m happy to see those models."
On abortion "I think in some ways there’s been a sense that we have to be quiet about the abortion issue. No — abortion is murder, pure and simple. That’s all there is to it — I mean, it’s just murder. "
1 comment:
I think it only shows that ++Burke was wiser about dealing with the secular press. It is ridiculuously foolish to cooperate with the Enemies of the Church. The bishop already has the means to communicate directly with his flock.
"Contraception is a church ordinance that is based on the formation of conscience,"
Wrong. Contraception is a violation of Natural Law. It is not a religious ordinance.
"saying this is bad, you’re going to hell. Hopefully, we are so far beyond that."
Yes, it's soooo nice that we are beyond believing that people can go to hell.
"that there are actions that we would say these will set you outside of the law, but God is the one who judges.”
Outside the Law??! Is that the best he can do? Charity for souls demands that the reality of hell be made plain.
Again, I submit that we have a placeholder bishop.
Marantha!!
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