Bp. Christensen(Superior) named new bishop of the Diocese of Boise, Idaho

Big hat tip to Brian Schweiss:

This morning, Pope Francis has named Bishop Peter Christensen of the Diocese of Superior, Wisconsin, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Boise, Idaho (the entire state of Idaho). The Diocese of Superior, Wisconsin, is now vacant.

From the Diocese of Boise:

This morning in Rome Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael Driscoll and appointed Bishop Peter Christensen as the eighth Bishop of Boise.

Come back to the website for more information and the live stream press conference at 9:30am. 

Photo

Updated statement; Boise Diocese:

BOISE — Pope Francis announced at the Vatican today that he had accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael P. Driscoll, Seventh Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise, and named Bishop Peter F. Christensen, of the Diocese of Superior, Wisconsin, as Eighth Bishop of Boise.

“I would like to thank the Holy Father Pope Francis, Archbishop Carlos Maria Vigano and all who made possible this opportunity to serve the church in Idaho. I am humbled by the Holy Father’s confidence in me, and pray that I may be worthy of his trust,” Bishop Christensen said at a press conference Nov. 4 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.

“This is a wonderful and diverse state with beautiful mountains and prairies, deserts, rivers and green valleys. Yet nothing reveals the love of God for this community more than the good works and faithfulness of his people. I look forward to seeing the beauty of creation through the holiness and love of Idaho Catholics, and hope that you see God’s love reflected in me in the same way.”

Bishop Driscoll, who submitted his letter of resignation to the pope on Aug. 8, 2014, when he turned 75 years old, applauded the pope’s choice for Idaho’s new bishop.

“I am thrilled with the selection of Bishop Christensen as the next Bishop of Boise. He is a man of energy and prayer and love for the church, and will find in Idaho a community of committed and faithful Catholics willing to serve and follow him in the years ahead. I am also very grateful to Pope Francis for granting my request for retirement,” Bishop Driscoll said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time serving the people and the Catholic Church of Idaho.”

Bishop Christensen will be installed as Bishop of Boise at a Mass Dec. 17 in St. John Cathedral.

Bishop Driscoll will continue to oversee the daily governance of the diocese until Bishop Christensen is installed.

Updated: letter from Bp. Christensen to the people of the Superior Diocese

Dear Fathers, Parish Life Coordinators, Parish Directors and Deacons,

It is with a mixture of sadness and joy that I have been appointed the next Bishop of Boise, Idaho. The sadness, obviously, comes with having to say so long to you and the wonderful Catholics of the Diocese of Superior. I want you to know how much I have appreciated the opportunity to serve with you in this Diocese. You have offered me a sense of belonging and a home that I would not have thought possible prior to being assigned here. Now the joy comes in knowing our Lord has other plans for me, and I trust in time I will feel that same belonging and sense of home that I felt with you.

Thank you for educating me in what it means to be a Bishop. I will carry your blessings on to Idaho. The date of my Installation is set for December 17 with a Vesper Service the evening prior. Please know that you are welcome, but I understand if you are unable to make it.

Please pray for my successor and your next Bishop. I trust the Lord will be good to you. Pray for me as well, especially that I have an understanding heart. i will be in touch hopefully to say goodbye to you personally sometime within the next month.

As I remain sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Rev. Peter F. Christensen
Bishop of Superior

Congratulations to Bishop Peter Christensen on being elected 9th Bishop of Boise. Wisconsin will miss you. Ad multos annos!
— Bp. Robert Morlino (@BishopMorlino) November 4, 2014

Previous posts on Bp. Christensen: http://badgercatholic.blogspot.com/search/label/Bishop%20Peter%20Christensen

Diocese of Superior, Bp. Christensen rejects Common Core

via FatherZ

The Diocese of Superior (WI) has opted out of Common Core!  Here is a statement from the Diocese (their diocesan website is fancy enough that, right now, it isn’t working.  You get stuck in a flash loop.  Nice.):

That puts my count at this:

Madison: Diocesan
Green Bay: Diocesan
La Crosse: Diocesan
Milwaukee: Common Core
Superior: Diocesan

Milwaukee is the lone adopter in the state. 

Bp. Christensen to keynote WCC conference April 10th

Catholics at the Capitol 2013
Reclaiming the Common Good in the Year of Faith

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center *
Madison, Wisconsin

8:15am - 4:00pm

Registration Form

Keynote Speake
Most Reverend Peter F. Christensen
Bishop of Superior

Wisconsin Catholic Conference

Photo

Bp Christensen has announced a 25% staff reduction in Diocese of Superior chancery staff

CathHerald

Update: including 7 layoffs

Ad Limina - It's all about the Benedict's baby

Abp. Listecki overheard whispering something about Bavarian beer perhaps?

Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison, Wis., talks with Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki of Milwaukee in a sacristy of St. Peter's Basilica

From The Catholic Times


Bishop Morlino:

Well, its been quite a 24 hours! Some highlights though, were our audience with the Holy Father yesterday morning, after a great meeting with the Congregation for the Clergy. I'll look forward to posting pictures of the Holy Father soon, and to sharing a bit about my time with him upon my return. Early this morning, we bishops rose and headed to the tomb of Blessed John Paul the Great, where I was blessed to offer the Holy Mass.

 I just came from offering Mass as I overlooked St. Peter's Basilica and would ask that you join me in offering prayers for the repose of the soul of Mr. Richard Blaney - A tremendous Catholic gentleman of our diocese.

 Bishop Morlino has some photos on Facebook

The Compass

Bishops from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana begin visits to Vatican

From Left; +Callahan, +Morlino, +Christensen

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Region VII -- which includes the states of Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin -- started their "ad limina" visits to Rome Feb. 9 with morning Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, before the Altar of the Tomb of St. Peter.

During their visit, which will end Feb. 17, the bishops will discuss a wide range of pastoral matters with Pope Benedict XVI and Vatican officials. A major theme is likely to be the new evangelization, which will be the subject of a Vatican synod this October. In recent weeks, the pope has told other visiting American bishops of the urgent need to defend religious freedom against the threat of "radical secularism."

more at MadCatHerald 

A nice set of photos over there as well:

Bp. Christensen among bishops studying the impact of border issues

Eight Roman Catholic bishops are in El Paso to study the effects of immigration, human trafficking and the violence in Juárez and what impact they are having on the local diocese.

But more important, the bishops, who arrived on Wednesday, are here to help the El Paso Diocese financially.

"It is the first time that we have all these bishops visit," said Bishop Armando X. Ochoa of El Paso. "They approached me at our summer meeting about wanting to come and have the opportunity to get a flavor of what is happening on the border region."

The bishops make up the Subcommittee on the Home Missions, a group of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, that awards about $8å million each year in grants to many "mission" dioceses and parishes.

Mission dioceses are dioceses and parishes in the United States that can't provide basic pastoral services without outside help, according to the subcommittee Website. El Paso is one of those mission dioceses.

The Most Rev. Michael W. Warfel, bishop of the Diocese of Great Falls and Billings, Mont., and committee chairman, said the group likes to visit different dioceses each year.

The visiting bishops are the Most Rev. Peter F. Christensen, bishop of Superior, Wis.; the Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, bishop of Salina, Kan.; the Most Rev. Curtis J. Guillory, bishop of Beaumont; the Most Rev. Thomas Olmstead, bishop of Phoenix; the Most Rev. Stefan Soroka, archbishop of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia for Ukrainians; the Most Rev. Robert F. Vasa, bishop of Baker, Ore.; and the Most Rev. Joe S. Vasquez, bishop of Austin.

 El Paso Times

Bp Christensen awards volunteer for work with the mentally handicapped

Bishop Peter F. Christensen makes a visit to Rhinelander and surprises a hard-working, local volunteer.

Christensen presented an award to Dennis Hermann, the president of Headwaters Incorporated in Rhinelander.

It's for distinguished service to the community after Hermann's many years of service at Headwaters. "Those that may have a little bit of a disability are challenged with life and how they're cared for with the community," Christensen says. "And a community that steps forward and cares for some of its weak members, weakest members, at times. It shows the heart of that community which is a wonderful thing."

Headwaters is a partner with the Catholic Charities Bureau.

The Bishop presented the award after the 26th annual Headwaters Charity Golf tournament in Rhinelander.

WJFW12

No words can describe how disturbed I am

Bp Christensen celebrating a "Polka Mass" in 2008

Iron River: The 2011 Lion’s Blueberry Festival Polka Mass begins at 10 a.m. with Bishop Peter F. Christensen of the Diocese of Superior, at Moon Lake Park, County Highway H, one mile south of U.S. Highway 2. Music provided by the “Singing Slovenes,” a popular group of musicians from Gary-New Duluth well known for their Polka Mass” and ethnic music. The group will also perform after the Mass for the enjoyment of the visitors at the Blueberry Festival.

Superior Telegram


His Excellency has celebrated the "Polka Mass" at Iron River for the past three years.  As a recent commenter from the north woods said:

Diocese of Superior is definitely a liturgical back-water. Please pray for us.

Let's all stop for a moment and say a prayer for the liturgical renewal for our brothers and sisters to the north.

You may remember that I posted on this quite a bit last year.  Along with "worshiping more vigorously" I would say the Polka Mass profanes what is sacred.  The fact that it is done outdoors on a ridiculous looking stage with a polka band standing right next to the altar isn't the worst part.  Sacred music is an integral part to normal Catholic worship.  We need appropriate music to worship our God.  The Polka Mass cannot provide what we need.  Even when done in a church it is totally inappropriate.  Apparently when someone is thirsty in a desert and asks for a glass of water, they are given a glass of sand instead of something to quench their thirst.

BTW for you new readers, The Polka Mass fiasco inspired the somewhat regular tradition of Polka Fridays on the Badger Catholic.

Superior Diocese priest gets probation for stealing from church

A Hudson priest who resigned under allegations that he stole funds from an account used to help needy families was sentenced Thursday in St. Croix County Court.

The Rev. Daniel J. Dahlberg, 68, of Superior, who admitted to having a gambling addiction, entered into a two-year deferred prosecution agreement on a felony theft charge and was placed on probation for two years after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count of misdemeanor theft.

Dahlberg, who has been receiving gambling addiction treatment, according to court records, will not be sentenced on the felony charge unless he violates conditions of the agreement.

Dahlberg already has paid $13,000 in restitution to St. Patrick Catholic Church, but was ordered Thursday to pay an additional $250. He also was ordered to continue treatment, perform 100 hours of community service and not gamble.

St. Patrick officials reported $10,800 was missing from a charity account used to help the needy. Dahlberg spoke to parishioners March 20 and resigned the next day. He had sole control of the account.

Eau Claire LT

Bp Christensen addresses missing funds in Hudson parish

As you have recently read and heard through local media outlets, our diocese has been in the news. On March 21, Fr. Daniel Dahlberg, pastor of St. Patrick Church, in Hudson, resigned his pastorate and was placed on administrative leave.  Fr. Eugene Murphy has since been appointed as temporary parochial administrator for St. Patrick Church. A permanent pastor has not yet been named.

Because of a problem with gambling, Fr. Dahlberg inappropriately accessed parish funds approximating, to the best of our knowledge, $11,000. Upon learning of the missing money, the Diocese of Superior acted immediately to remove Fr. Dahlberg from active ministry and to provide support and legal guidance to the officials at St. Patrick Church.

Fr. Dahlberg was asked to report his actions to local law enforcement authorities and has since been formally charged in St. Croix County with felony theft. In addition, he has worked on a repayment plan with the trustees of St. Patrick Church and has subsequently begun to receive long-term, residential counseling.
At this time, there will be no further developments until after the scheduled court hearing commences.

Bishop Peter Christensen
April 8, 2011

Sup Cath Herald

Superior former vicar general could face up to 5 years in prison

A former Superior Diocese priest was charged this week in St. Croix County Court with felony theft after allegations that he stole money from a Hudson, Wis., church account used to help needy families.

The Rev. Daniel J. Dahlberg, 68, of Superior is scheduled for an initial court appearance May 12. The charge has a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Dahlberg served as rector at Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior from 1998 to 2009 and was vicar general of the diocese — the second-highest position next to the bishop — from 1998 until last year.

Duluth Trib

Superior Diocese vicar general stole funds for gambling habit

The second-highest ranking official in the Diocese of Superior was removed as pastor of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hudson, Wis., after taking about $10,800 from a charity account, likely to fuel a gambling addiction, church officials said.

The Rev. Dan Dahlberg — the diocese’s vicar general who previously served at Superior’s Cathedral of Christ the King — was removed by Bishop Peter Christensen following a request by St. Patrick’s church trustees after they discovered the money was missing, according to a letter distributed to parishioners on Sunday.

“It is very likely that this misconduct is the result of a serious gambling addiction which has led to personal financial issues and impaired Father Dan’s judgment,” read the letter from trustees Samuel Cari and Claire Zajac.

The trustees said that arrangements have been made for Dahlberg to repay the full amount and recommended the diocese help obtain professional help for Dahlberg, who also sits on the Diocesan Finance Council and the corporate boards of all parishes.

Dahlberg served as rector at the Superior cathedral from 1998 to 2009 and has been vicar general of the diocese — the second highest position next to the bishop — since 1998.

Duluth Tribune

Let's pray for Fr. Dahlberg.  May this humiliation bring him closer to the humiliations of Christ on the cross. 

SupCathHerald: 588 miles, 3 sacraments, 2 days

The head of an organization or company is bound to busy, but two days with Bishop Peter Christensen reveals the variety of pastoral, liturgical and administrative aspects to the job of shepherding the Diocese of Superior. The bishop celebrated two Masses, administered three sacraments and covered 588 miles of road — all in the space of 36 hours.

4:30 p.m. Arrive in Medford.

5:25 p.m. Baptism at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary parish in Medford.

As the tenth child of Karl and Ann Mahner and the 50th grandchild of Lee Mahner, Markus Peter Mahner has the honor of being baptized by Bishop Christensen.

6:23 p.m. Following the baptism of Markus, Bishop Christensen surprises the evening religious education classes at Holy Rosary with a visit.

In each class, the bishop gives an impromptu lesson based on the theme of the evening from the Beatitudes to miracles to the Eucharist.

In one class, the bishop asks, “Do you believe in miracles?” Most of the classes answers in the affirmative, while one eighth-grade In one class, the bishop asks, “Do you believe in miracles?” Most of the classes answers in the affirmative, while one eighth-grade boy says, “No.”

Bishop Christensen is not deterred: “You know what’s going to happen? God’s going to get you in some way, and then you’ll say, ‘Oh yes, I get it.’”

In another eighth-grade class, Bishop Christensen asks, “You know what I think about eight-graders?”

“We’re cool,” a teenager girl responds.

“You’re the coolest people in the world, and if you can match that coolness with faith, you’ll amaze the world,” Bishop Christensen says.

 The whole thing at Sup Cath Herald

Photo: Mary Gibson

.....cool!

Updated papal Pro-Live vigil events in Wisconsin on Nov 27

Pope Benedict XVI has made an “unprecedented request” to Catholics by asking that Catholic Bishops throughout the world, and all parishes and religious communities, observe a “Vigil for All Nascent Human Life” on Saturday, November 27, the vigil of the first Sunday of Advent. Pope Benedict XVI will observe the vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and has asked all Diocesan Bishops and the faithful to join him.

The following vigils will be held in the Wisconsin area. We urge everyone to attend if at all possible:

– Archdiocese of Milwaukee: Archbishop Listecki will preside at Evening Prayer, Rosary and Benediction on Saturday, November 27, at 5 p.m. hosted by St. Anthony Church, Ninth & Mitchell, Milwaukee. Sacred music will be led by Lee Erickson, choir master St. Anthony Congregation and Director of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus. For more information and a flyer, click here.

– Diocese of Madison: With joyful hope, Bishop Robert Morlino invites the faithful of the Diocese of Madison to observe this Vigil with him, in communion with the Holy Father, at St. Patrick’s Church of the Cathedral Parish on November 27, at 7 p.m., so we may together join our fasting and prayers with those around the world, “as a cry of all Humanity, rising up to God the Father, Giver of all good things, in order that every human life be respected, protected and loved.”

– Diocese of Green Bay: In response to the Holy Father’s request, Bishop David Ricken will celebrate the Vigil for Life and First Vespers of Advent at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay on November 27 at 6 p.m. The Vigil will consist of Evening Prayer and the Rosary and will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

– Diocese of Superior: Bishop Peter Christensen will celebrate 5 p.m. Mass on November 27 at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior. Mass will be followed by solemn exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the Joyful mysteries of the Rosary and Benediction. For more information, click here.

– Diocese of La Crosse: Bishop Callahan has asked priests to hold observances in their parishes. The La Crosse Cathedral will observe this vigil after the 5:10 Mass next Saturday evening with a Marian Procession, Rosary and Benediction.

We cannot emphasize enough the significance of the Pope’s request. Life is under attack all around the world, and only through prayer will hearts be softened and lives spared. Please attend!

ProLifeWis: Updated Wisconsin information: Pope Benedict XVI calls for Nov. 27 Vigil for the Unborn
Sooooo maybe Bishop Callahan read my blog and wanted me to attend in Madison?  .... it seems very weird that La Crosse will not have anything.  Anybody have any ideas why?  Maybe Bishop Callahan is out of town.  I know he's strongly pro-life so it only adds to the weirdness. I have seen NO announcements in bulletins of other events in the city.  I would expect his Cathedral to at least advertise an alternative in his absence.  I mean, the POPE HIMSELF did request this. 

Wellll, it turns out I may indeed be going to Madison.  The Badgers play Northwestern that same day, maybe for the Big Ten title.  Maybe after the vigil event we have one of those deals where we all go to a tavern to meet each other?

UPDATE: I updated the above with the information provided by the La Crosse Cathedral.  

Polka Mass, a timeless tradition

I hate to offend... well not really... but I think it would be better to be shot than to have to sit through the aptly named Polka Mass.  Instead of Holy Mass we now have a Polka Mass.  So where did this kind of nonsense come from?  I know this is hard to believe, but this invention came strait out of the roaring 1970s.

Beginning in the early 1970s, the phenomenon of "polka masses" began appearing. Polka masses are usually held by members of the Roman Catholic Church who consider the polka an important part of their ethnic heritages. The first polka mass was created by Father George Balasko in 1972 and the idea was spread by Father Frank Perkovich throughout the '70s and '80s. Both were polka musicians. In composing a polka mass, a musician either alters the lyrics of polka pieces to become more appropriate for a spiritual setting or creates an entirely new piece of polka-style music to sing with the usual sacred text. Robert Walser argues that the exuberant polka music motivates participants to "worship more vigorously." [ROFLLOL!!!] He also asserts that the polka mass "brings the community into the church" because it involves music and lyrics that the congregations are more familiar with. [Yes we should have Youth Polka Masses to really relate to kids nowadays]

Wikipedia

2008 Polka Mass at Iron River, WI

Uuuuuuuuhhhh.  Well interstesting note here, while researching for this post I found the celebrant of this years Polka Mass in Iron River was the Bishop of Superior, Bishop Peter Christensen ....

IRON RIVER - Hundreds of people gathered to attend the Polka Mass celebrated by Bishop Peter Christensen in Iron River Sunday, July 25, during the annual Blueberry Festival.  Afterwards Bishop Christensen visited with people who were enjoying the festivities of the day.

Superior Catholic Herald

Umm, that's all for now.... I'm breaking into a cold sweat.....  I am going to have nightmares for months about those stars.

Wisconsin bishops on how to vote, sort of

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The Second Vatican Council emphasized the unique mission of the lay faithful in transforming the political, social, economic, and cultural realms for the sake of the common good. With the 2010 election season approaching, we wish to affirm this Christian mission in your role as citizens. In writing this letter we have no desire to endorse candidates or political parties. Nor do we seek to impose doctrinal beliefs on fellow citizens. Rather, we provide the following framework of Catholic social teaching to assist you in forming your conscience, in evaluating political candidates and public policies, and in fulfilling your calling to bring the love and truth of Jesus Christ into a world where these are so dearly needed.

All of us – laity, religious, and clergy – are imperfect and in need of reform; so too, our democratic institutions. For this reason, every four years, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issues a statement on faithful citizenship (“Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States,” 2007; www.faithfulcitizenship.org). We invite you to read or reread this statement because a well-formed conscience is essential to the Christian life. Here we briefly highlight the statement’s four main themes.

First and foremost, the right to life of every human person – from conception to natural death – is the primary and thus most essential of all human rights. Faith teaches and human reason confirms that human life is not a privilege bestowed on us by others, but rather a right that society must recognize and protect. As Christians, we are called to witness to an authentic “human ecology” which safeguards all human life – no matter how frail or impaired – from being manipulated or destroyed.

Second, the nature of marriage, between a man and a woman, is established by the Creator as the foundation of the family, which in turn becomes the first and vital cell of society. Due to its service to life, including the procreation and necessary formation of new citizens, marriage is a social l –  not just a sacred – good that government needs to recognize, encourage, and protect. “Marriage…contributes to society because it models the way in which women and men live interdependently and commit, for the whole of life, to seek the good of each other” (USCCB, “Between Man and Woman,” 2003). Marriage promotes the interest of children who need the constant love, attention, and guidance of their mothers and fathers to reach their fullest potential.

Third, our consistent life ethic extends from the vulnerable inside the womb to the vulnerable outside the womb. As Catholics we understand that God has a special love for the poor and all those in danger or distress. Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us, “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). As Pope John Paul II explains, “It is not merely a matter of ‘giving from one’s surplus,’ but of helping entire peoples which are presently excluded or marginalized to enter into the sphere of economic and human development. For this to happen…requires above all a change of life-styles, of models of production and consumption, and of the established structures of power which today govern societies” (“Centesimus annus” / “The Hundredth Year,” #58).

Fourth, Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that, “If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation” (World Day of Peace Message, 2010). Our natural resources are gifts from God and we are all responsible for protecting them. Indeed, environmental ecology is intimately tied to human ecology: when we use our natural resources wisely, all human beings, now and in the future, will have the opportunity to thrive.

Being a faithful citizen is never easy. Yet, if Catholics continue to remain engaged, not just politically but also culturally, there is so much good that we will contribute to our nation and to our world.

“Unity in essentials; liberty in non-essentials; charity in both.” This time-honored advice is especially pertinent around election time. While faithful Catholics are united on the essentials of Church doctrine, we sometimes disagree on non-essential matters or in the prudential means of pursuing authentic goods. All of us, however, bear witness to Our Lord Jesus Christ when, in the midst of our vigorous debates, we demonstrate charity and respect for one another.  [So what's non essential?  If all four of these are in the list then there is equal justification for pro-aborts or pro-lifers.  This statement added to the confusion, it did not clarify it.]

We thank you for reading this letter and for your contributions as informed, involved, and faithful citizens. We close by asking you to keep us in your prayers, as you always remain in ours

Mil Catholic Herald

I wish the bishops would use the language of the Catholic Voters Guide.  The bishops have correctly ranked them, but in practicality the voter can say their candidate has number three and four but not number two and one so they are still okay to vote for.  Some of the issues in this list are "non-negotiable" and some are.  Since the bishops are not yet ready to articulate that, pro-abortion "Catholic" democrats can still vote for themselves in good conscience. 

Bishop Christensen of Superior addresses critics

Why the Silence?

In a recent conversation a friend of mine was commenting on the sizeable number of secular newspaper articles that center on the topic of sexual abuse by clergy. He was perplexed by the fact that there have not been more responses made by the Church in regard to some of the assumptions made by the papers that he knows to be either exaggerated or false. Well aware of his frustration, which is shared by many, I began to explain the reasons for the absence of rebuttals to the media as I see it.

First of all, doing so makes the Church look either defensive or calloused, as if the leadership of the Church is out to protect itself.  There is no question that there have been priests who have sexually abused minors. Many innocent victims and their families have been directly or indirectly wounded and scarred by such behavior. There is no denying this fact. In response to the damaging actions of some of the clergy, since the Charter for the Protection of Children was established in 2002, the Catholic Church has gone well beyond any other institution in setting up safe-guards to protect our young from such horrendous, sinful behavior.

What we often fail to remember is that the Church, like the rest of society, in regard to the disciplinary action of its members was motivated by the social beliefs and sciences of its time.  Up until the 1980s it was believed that pedophiles (pre-pubescent) and ephebophiles (post-pubescent) could be rehabilitated and reinstated into the institutions they served. This was true not only for ministers of other Christian and non-Christian denominations, but also for secular institutions, such as teachers in our public school systems.  As I have often heard it said and know it to be true, the framework in which we were making judgments was based on the knowledge of the time we made them. As an example of context, it would be like someone suing the Ford Motor Company today for a wrongful death of a grandfather when his airbag failed to deploy 70 years ago. The knowledge gained and serving us today in the realm of psychosexual sciences is far more understood than it was even twenty years ago. That which is sometimes referred to as “cover up” by the Church was nothing more than a lack of knowledge of what dangers were being done and what treatments could or could not be administered for rehabilitation.

Another reason for the lack of response to the secular press could be caused by a misguided prejudice against the Catholic Church for whatever reason. There is no doubt that the Catholic Church makes the front-page headlines in this regard. A while back, when I asked a prominent reporter from CNN, why he thought this was the case, he stated it is so because we are such a large institution.  I said that I believe it is the case because we are the only institution in the entire world that can speak with one voice on issues of faith and morals. No other institution in the world can offer teaching and guidance with the authority of the Catholic Church. And no other institution in the world has the ability to speak with such a unified voice. As I said to the reporter, not everyone likes such a voice, to be reminded of the existence of God or to have his or her conscience tweaked.  If you can silence the voice by destroying the Church’s credibility it would serve as a relief for some. 

At the end of our conversation I thanked the CNN reporter for the attention given to these matters. It may sound strange, but in many ways when there is credibility of abuse, the reporting reminds us of the contrast of what is expected by the Church.  We should be shocked by such contrary behavior to our beliefs. The day that reporting such information is not seen as horror will be the day that the Church has lost its message of the Gospel. It is newsworthy because it is scandalous behavior and always will stand in contradiction to the belief of our Catholic Church.

What I find difficult is when our local paper misquotes or exaggerates information. This frustration is exasperated when they are unwilling to make corrections and print the facts. Recently, our diocesan office responded to misinformation printed in our local Duluth paper. The paper made no corrections or points of clarifications. They stated that the Diocese of Superior had paid out nearly 3 million dollars in one settlement in 1989. I know differently. Since 1950, there have been 546 priests serving in our Diocese. Tragically, 12 of these priests during the past 60 years have what seem to be credible allegations of pedophilia or ephebophilia. That is 2.2 percent of our priest population in the Superior Diocese which is well below the national average of males who sexually abuse children. Eight of these priests are now deceased and the other four are no longer serving in active ministry.  During this same period of time, the Diocese of Superior has been responsible for making settlements on 4 cases, paying a total of $135,000 from our own diocesan funds directly to victims. Our insurance companies covered other costs. This is nowhere near the amount as reported in the paper.

The third reason that the Church oftentimes seems silent in offering corrections or rebuttals to the media is because those who have been abused by priests have asked that their names and cases never be mentioned to others. These are legal agreements, set up by the Church and to be honored by the Church as requested by those abused. These confidentiality agreements are put in place in order to protect the good names and reputations of those abused. Unfortunately not all reporters or advocate groups appreciate this fact. Sometimes these groups, although they speak in terms of reconciliation, are more interested in retaliation against the Church in general. 

All this being said, as Catholics we are meeting the situation of our times for our own institution, while the sexual abuse of minors is running rampant throughout society. As the Church grows stronger in the knowledge and care of the young, its leaders and congregations will better serve as educators and reconcilers for our religious and civic communities. This is not a pleasant journey, but to help expose and heal the sin of sexual abuse throughout our society is what we are called to do at this time in our history. 
And at times, although we may be seemingly silent in response to the media, we as a Church are doing all that we can to correct our faults and to help others in society to deal with their similar issues in this regard. May Our Lord bless all who suffer from abuse with his healing presence, and strengthen all the faithful to serve as ministers of his pure love.

Superior Catholic Herald

Bp Callahan installation Mass- rebroadcast video

Archbishop Dolan, Archbishop Burke, Archbishop Listecki, bishops of Wisconsin, where's the media guide.  Not sure who else until I watch the video.  Grrrrreat Music(sorry Milwaukee) but better than Listecki's installation.  I couldn't take any pictures with shrieking boys(you may have heard one at the end), so I'll point as they become available.

EWTN will rebroadcast the event at 11:00 p.m. August 11, 2010. Catholic TV will rebroadcast Bishop Callahan’s Installation Mass at 7:00 p.m. August 11, as well as make the event available on its Web site, catholictv.com. WXOW will rebroadcast the installation at 12:00 noon August 15, while WKBT has scheduled a rebroadcast, which will include an interview with Bishop Callahan, for 11:05 p.m. August 15.

Why don't I bring the coverage right to you!  .... So far this doesn't work for me, just shows the intro.  I'll leave it up there for now in case they fix the video.  UPDATE: This is now working

Several bishops with ties to St Thomas University

Bishop Blase Cupich, a 1971 St. Thomas alumnus who since 1998 has been bishop of Rapid City, S.D., last week was named bishop of the Diocese of Spokane, Wash.
Cupich joins a list of at least seven other men named bishops in recent years who have St. Thomas and St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity ties.

• Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis, a 1966 St. Paul Seminary alumnus
• Bishop Peter Christensen of Superior, Wis., a 1981 St. Thomas alumnus
• Bishop Arthur Kennedy, a former St. Thomas faculty member
• Bishop John Kinney of St. Cloud, a 1963 St. Paul Seminary alumnus
• Bishop Richard Pates of Des Moines, a 1965 St. Paul Seminary alumnus
• Bishop Lee Piché of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, a 1980 St. Thomas and a 1984 St. Paul Seminary alumnus who is a member of the St. Thomas Board of Trustees
• Bishop Paul Sirba of Duluth, a 1982 St. Thomas alumnus.

University of St Thomas bulletin