Judge throws out abuse case against Diocese of La Crosse

A La Crosse County judge has dismissed fraud charges brought against the Diocese of La Crosse that accused them of covering up a priest who allegedly had a history of child abuse.

In a civil case that began in 2008, Brenda Varga said she was assaulted by Father Raymond Bornbach in 1971, and that the Diocese knew Bornbach had a history of abuse, but did nothing about it.

Bornbach was removed from the ministry in 2004, and died in 2006.

Judge Scott Horne dismissed two counts of fraud, saying there was no evidence of a prior sexual assault.

In a statement, Diocese attorney James Birnbaum says "We are grateful that the court ruled what we have maintained from the start: that the Diocese of La Crosse engaged in no fraud toward Brenda Varga in her 41-year-old claims against the Diocese."

"We wish, however, to affirm that child sexual abuse is a despicable crime no matter where it occurs," the statement continues. "The protection and safety of children remains our highest priority."

 video at news8000 ....

Hmm, I see Channel 8 in La Crosse has a new website.  Nicer on the eyes, but has the same limitations of cookie cutter approaches. 

Wisconsin Public Radio: SNAP wants list from Diocese of La Crosse

We're here to help.....

In a recent interview with the La Crosse Tribune, Diocese of La Crosse attorney James Birnbaum said eleven priests had been accused of abuse since 2003. The accusers are adults who said they were abused more than 20 years ago. Birnbaum says the Diocese of La Crosse Clergy Child Sexual Abuse Review Board found that ten of those priests had either died or left the ministry, and they couldn't confirm one case.

John Pilmaier finds this troubling. He's the Wisconsin Director for SNAP, or Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests. Pilmaier has sent an e-mail to La Crosse Bishop William Callahan urging the Diocese to release the total number of sexual abuse claims and names of priests accused of abuse. He says he just wants the Diocese to be open with information and level with people, "We don't know how many, who they are, if they are still priests, still in the ministry. The Diocese simply has not been open and transparent about which members of the Diocese have hurt children."

Pilmaier says if a priest is let go from the ministry due to an assault, they could get another job and the public would not know that person's history.

WPR

Monnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeey! 

10 dead priests, if only we could remove the statute of limitations we could really crack the bank open.... oh yeah, that's right.  SNAP wants to sue the diocese over dead priests and bishops.  That's their idea of "justice."

LaXTrib: Bishop "James" Callahan updates La Crosse Diocese abuse policy

The Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse has updated its policies to lower the burden of proof for launching internal investigations of child sex abuse by members of the clergy and to reflect modern avenues for crimes against children.

Bishop James Callahan[ahem, a quick search of the diocesan website shows our current bishop to be "William Patrick Callahan, O.F.M. Conv."  The Editor of the La Crosse Tribune is the one who wrote this article....] said Wednesday that revision of the standards was one of his priorities on taking charge of the diocese in August 2010, spurred in part by Pope Benedict XVI's 2010 update of church rules.

Following the Vatican's lead, the new policy expands the scope of child sex abuse to include computer crimes such as downloading child pornography or sending explicit electronic messages.

"I really applaud the pope, because this is just so much common sense," Callahan said. "People don't realize how advanced the church is in dealing with issues of protection of children. ... We were not in the past, and we certainly have taken our lumps because of it." [College sports programs come to mind here]

The policies govern how the diocese, which serves 196,246 Catholics in 165 parishes across western Wisconsin, investigates allegations of sexual abuse of children and other vulnerable people and how clergy are disciplined.

Callahan emphasized that while the church conducts internal investigations, all allegations are first reported to civil authorities.

"Many times the civil authorities are telling us there's nothing there, and we still look into it," he said. "That doesn't trump anything we do."

Decisions re-affirmed

The changes include new language that lowers the burden of proof required to open an internal investigation.

Callahan said the diocese's review board - a panel of clergy and lay people charged with investigating sexual abuse allegations - reviewed its prior cases using the new standards and affirmed its decisions.

An audit by another diocese confirmed those results, said James Birnbaum, the diocese's attorney and a member of the review board.

Since the formation of the review board in 2003, 11 priests have been accused by adults who said they were abused as children. Of those allegations, Birnbaum said, 10 were against priests who had since died or left the ministry; the diocese could not sufficiently confirm the other case.

Those cases involved allegations of abuse at least 20 years in the past, Birnbaum said.

Birnbaum said any allegations of recent or ongoing abuse are to be reported first to civil authorities.

"The first thing that happens is we call the cops," he said.

Though never accused of abusing children in the diocese, the Rev. Patrick Umberger, pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Onalaska, was charged last year with possession of child pornography. Umberger died with his legal case pending.

The nine-member review board includes a psychologist, a retired judge, and a corporate executive in addition to three clergy members and two attorneys.

‘A necessity regardless'

One of the changes - to the language surrounding the burden of proof for investigating allegations against priests - addresses a concern raised last year by a priest and canon lawyer in the Milwaukee Archdiocese.

In June 2010, two months before Callahan's installation as bishop, the Rev. James Connell wrote that the diocese's policy was out of line with church standards.

The diocese standard for determining whether to forward allegations to church officials in Rome called for "moral certitude which excludes every prudent doubt or every doubt founded on positive reasons" rather than the mere "semblance of truth" outlined in church law.

The new document requires the allegation to be "sufficiently credible" and corroborated by evidence from a witness, document or other source.

Connell, who Callahan calls a good friend, declined to comment on the new document except to say the new language satisfies his concerns.

"The review of the policies was something that needed to be done whether Father (Connell) brought it about or didn't," Callahan said. "I saw it was a necessity regardless."

Read more: http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/diocese-updates-sex-abuse-policies/article_12e904da-1be0-11e1-99e6-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1fI2ypzg4

They publish every possible article they can on how the Diocese of La Crosse abuse policy is protecting criminals, and then the man that comes in and fixes it gets his name butchered.  Besides the name thing, obviously embarrassing, a good article.  It sounds like Bp. Callahan took the time to sit down with Hubbuch which is the right step in improving media relations.  There is definitely a need for a responsible secular press in covering church issues.

Eau Claire Police Chief voices concern over La Crosse Diocese abuse policy

In light of the sex abuse charges at Penn State, Eau Claire Police Chief Jerry Matisyk says this is a good reminder to both parents and organizations on how to properly report abuse.

The grand jury report which talks about the Penn State sex abuse charges, notes that the scandal was covered up for years. Matisyk says, like in the Catholic Church's case, cover ups like this happen all too often

Over the years Matisyk has vocalized his opposition to the La Crosse Catholic Diocese child sex abuse reporting policy, saying the church should have parishioners report directly to the police, rather than the church first.

Matisyk says unfortunately the church isn't alone in covering up abuses, as the Penn State scandal so clearly proves.   [Good point]

“I think the lesson here for all citizens is that child sexual abuse is a crime, a serious crime and it needs to be reported directly to the police, not to the organization where the crime occurred,” he says.

But, James Birnbaum a lawyer for the La Crosse Diocese says its policy is to report sexual abuse to the bishop, as a way of to ensure it gets reported to authorities.

“The reason that we have a policy of reporting to the bishop is the bishop is obligated by law to make the reports and we want to make sure those reports are made. If the bishop fails to make a report as mandatory reporter, he can be sued for that,” Birnbaum explains.

But, Matisyk says human nature all too often turns to protect the organization above the victim.

“The problem is with some organizations, if some people in a higher position find out about this they tend to try to cover up evidence, tend to try and tell people not to cooperate and that's destructive to the truth. Nothing is worth the price of a new victim,” Matisyk tells us.

Even if you only have suspicions, Matisyk says don't be afraid to go to the police.

“If there are people that have either witnessed suspicious activity that seems unusual, doesn’t seem to make sense, we are fine with taking that kind of information and taking a closer look,” he explains.

Chief Matisyk says the cleanest policy an organization can have is to report any criminal behavior to police.

WEAU

It was proved recently in the Diocese of La Crosse that the flip side of the coin is also true; people make false accusations against priests for personal reasons or for profit.  We also have groups like SNAP out there who have actively campaigned in Wisconsin to remove the statute of limitation, allowing lawyers to sue dioceses for actions that have taken place since 1848.  Look, if I knew of abuse, I would go right to police but the reality is that character defamation is something that is practiced against priests, and SNAP wants every last one of our churches to look like this.  Chief Matysik does not address these concerns.

La Crosse diocesan attorney writes op ed ripping pro-life Kapanke in favor of pro-abort

By James G. Birnbaum | La Crosse | Posted: Monday, June 6, 2011 12:15 am

Should Sen. Dan Kapanke be voted out of office for his recent actions in Madison? Absolutely for at least two reasons, what he did and why he did it.

First, his vote against the collective bargaining rights of the working class was unprecedented and radical in its breadth and scope. It was totally unnecessary and unrelated to any fiscal necessity.

It has created chaos in local governments in the short term, seriously and in some cases irreparably harmed his constituents and left a destructive legacy politically and economically never seen before in Wisconsin history. This one, unnecessary, vindictive, ideological vote demands his recall. 

Second, Kapanke has changed. He turned his back on his friends, neighbors and constituents in favor of out-of-town and out-of-state wealthy right-wing ideologues who have and probably will again dump millions of dollars to smear Rep. Jennifer Shilling like he attempted to do with Rep. Ron Kind.

Kapanke is too far indebted and in the pocket of big business to be trusted. We need a senator who is one of us, who can’t be bought and who will take our calls and not those of the Koch brothers.

Some votes, because of their consequence and intent, mandate a forfeiture of public office. This is one of those votes.

In the recall election, vote for Rep. Jennifer Shilling, a person of loyalty and integrity.

LaX Trib

First... weak letter!  Face it, you support the recall because you didn't vote for him the first time around.  You are hoping for a low turnout for the election so as to snatch back what is yours.  Second, modernizing collective bargaining is the only concrete answer as to why there's a recall in the first place?  Puleeeze.

I've posted on Birnbaum's political contributions before.  He exclusively supports pro-abortion politicians.  It has been brought before more than one bishop in this diocese and no action has ever been taken against him.  He still is the diocese go to guy in legal matters. 

HT CC

Bp Callahan on John Jay abuse report

The Most Rev. William Callahan welcomed the public release Wednesday of a report commissioned by U.S. Catholic bishops to determine the causes of the church's child sex abuse crisis.

Neither forced celibacy nor homosexuality were to blame, the study concluded; instead researchers blamed inadequate training that left priests ill-equipped for the social changes of the 1960s and ‘70s.

"John Jay is not a church institution," the bishop said. "I don't think they came through trying to be nice to the church. Their people were genuine and honest."

Callahan noted that no other institution has undertaken a self-study of this magnitude.

Eleven priests have been accused since 2003 by adults who said they were abused as children. Of those allegations, Birnbaum said, 10 were against priests who had died or were no longer in the ministry, and the diocese could not sufficiently confirm the other case.

"We don't have contemporary allegations," Birnbaum said. "Those are all handed over to the cops."

La Crosse Tribune

I'm not sure if you read up on this report but it basically gives the "Blame Woodstock" explanation.  From the Chicago Tribune:

The researchers concluded that it was not possible for the church, or for anyone, to identify abusive priests in advance, according to the newspaper[NYT], which obtained an advance copy of the report.

The study concluded that many more boys than girls were victimized, not because the perpetrators were gay, but simply because the priests had more access to boys than to girls, the newspaper reported.

"Because the priests had more access to boys" is illogical and just plain untrue.  If the abusers wanted to satisfy every desire that came into their dark minds, the heterosexuals desires would still be for a female.  According to this explanation, the abusers would have taken action on farm animals or kitchen appliances if they are more easily accessible.  The truth of the matter is that the vast majority of abusers were homosexuals(or exhibited homosexual behavior) and the bishops of the Church were to blame for not addressing complaints properly.

La Crosse lawyer says Jeff Anderson & Assoc. "has perpetrated a fraud against this Court"

In documents filed Friday, attorney James Birnbaum argues that the law firm of Jeff Anderson & Associates, "has perpetrated a fraud against this Court."

"Its willingness and ability to manufacture a fraud complaint against the Diocese illustrates the dangerousness and inequity of permitting 40-year-old claims to be pursued," he wrote. "Their fraud on this Court not only requires dismissal of the complaint ... but it warrants sanctions against plaintiff's counsel as well."

Birnbaum also requested the court suspend discovery, the process through which each side is allowed to review the other's evidence and interview witnesses, pending a ruling on the judicial fraud motion.

The woman's attorney, Mike Finnegan, said Friday he had not seen the motion and declined to comment before reading it.

The rest at La Crosse Tribune

Bishop Freking(d 1998) from La Crosse on trial for coverup

A sexual abuse lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse faced a temporary setback Tuesday, though it appears it will eventually move forward.

La Crosse County Circuit Judge Scott Horne ruled Tuesday that a Plover, Wis., woman's fraud suit filed in late 2008 lacks sufficient detail to show diocese officials knew a priest had a history of molesting children before he abused her nearly 40 years ago.

But Horne gave her attorney until Dec. 15 to amend the complaint and indicated it would be sufficient if it included information contained in another court document.

According to the complaint, Brenda Varga met the late Rev. Raymond Bornbach in 1971 when her family attended a wedding at his church. He later visited her, bringing the third-grader gifts and taking her to his house, where Varga said he repeatedly molested her for a year until Bornbach's housekeeper caught him.

The diocese removed Bornbach - who already had retired - from ministry in 2004 after a review panel found Varga's allegations credible, though Bornbach's attorney said his client denied the claims. Bornbach died in 2006.

Varga's suit claims then-Bishop Frederick Freking knew Bornbach had a proclivity for young girls when he was assigned in 1968 to St. Michael's Parish in Hewitt, Wis.

The diocese sought to dismiss the case on the grounds Varga, now 47, failed to provide sufficient details for her claims.

"It's just a bald-faced allegation that the bishop knew," diocesan attorney James Birnbaum said Tuesday in La Crosse County Circuit Court.

In an April 2009 sworn affidavit, an employee of Varga's attorney said she spoke to a former president of the St. Michael's parent organization who said that in 1968 his wife saw Bornbach touching a girl inappropriately in the church sacristy. The unnamed man said he left detailed messages for then-Bishop Frederick Freking, who never returned his calls. He said he also reported it to a diocesan priest as well as nuns at St. Michael's.

Birnbaum called the allegations "nothing more than gossip."  [Hmmm, certainly a very different culture back then.  If somebody did this today, ya gotta think there would be a much different reaction from the diocese.]

But if the affidavit's details are included in the complaint, Horne said he would be "hard pressed" to find it insufficient to proceed.

That could open the door for Varga's attorneys to see diocese records through the discovery process, which attorney Michael Finnegan said could reveal what officials knew.

Plaintiffs should not be allowed to file a suit simply to get access to facts, Birnbaum argued. "These are not statutes that allow fishing expeditions."

Horne stayed discovery until he rules on the diocese's motion to dismiss, now set for March 8.

Birnbaum argued the case is four decades old and potential witnesses - including Bornbach and Freking - are dead, making it difficult to defend. [SNAP is a supporter of Cadaver Synods.  Let's dig up their bodies and put them on trial.]

"The reason why some of these cases are just coming to light,' Finnegan countered, "is dioceses and bishops have been very successful at covering up allegations." [There is a difference between dismissing charges as hearsay and covering up for priests]

 La Crosse Tribune

I do hope that Wisconsin can enact some effective legislation to protect minors in large institutions(churches, schools, government agencies).  Obviously the latest legislation proposed by Julie Lassa was anything but that.  Legislators like Lassa are more worried about bankrupting the Church in Wisconsin than actually enacting good legislation.

Fr. Edmund Donkor-Baine found not guilty

A La Crosse County jury Tuesday acquitted a visiting Catholic priest of sexually assaulting a female parishioner in August 2009. The panel of 11 men and one woman deliberated four hours before finding the Rev. Edmund Donkor-Baine, 48, not guilty of misdemeanor fourth-degree sexual assault.

The priest’s supporters celebrated outside the courtroom with handshakes and praises to God.

“The system worked,” defense attorney Cheryl Gill said. “I feel a good man was accused unfairly, and it has totally changed his life. The accusations have gone worldwide.”

The 48-year-old woman, a devout Catholic and stay-at-home mother, testified Tuesday she called Donkor-Baine on Aug. 20, 2009, seeking support for her failing marriage and his advice on how to handle sexual urges.

The pair talked at a downtown coffee shop and drove through Riverside Park before parking her vehicle near the Diocese of La Crosse center, she said.

“He grabbed my hand and put it on his penis and then he took his hands and grabbed my breasts,” she told the jury.

She reported the incident to police in December after a diocese investigation found no supporting evidence.

Donkor-Baine, a Ghana resident in the U.S. for medical care, testified he offered to meet the woman at Sunday Mass but she insisted on seeing him that night.

She didn’t appear upset when she arrived at the diocese center, so Donkor-Baine handed her a prayer book and rosary and turned away, he said.

The priest testified she called him to her car and offered to take him to a property she owns in La Crescent, Minn. They settled on the coffee shop, where they discussed her marriage, though she never mentioned her sexual urges, he testified.

They were seated in her parked car when, Donkor-Baine said, she made sexual advances toward him.

“She told me that, ‘I have not met my desires,’” he testified.

He suggested a drive through Riverside Park to calm her, he said, adding she twice rubbed his thigh as they returned to the diocese center.

“I was not comfortable with that,” he said.

Under questioning by Gill, the woman admitted she went back to Donkor-Baine for that counseling session even though she thought he’d been sexually inappropriate at an earlier meeting. She also attended church where he helped deliver Mass the Sunday after the incident.

Gill said the behavior was more typical of a “woman rejected by her husband who sought attention elsewhere.”

But La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke, in his closing statement, argued she had no motive to lie.

“Why would she have a reason to make up something against a church she adored?”

 La Crosse Tribune

Well it probably doesn't help her story if she was caught in a lie during the trial.  It's a bad day for those who hate the Catholic Church.  I wonder if there is a reason the Diocese looks to see if the allegations are credible before going to police....  and it turns out Archbishop Listecki was right to dismiss these charges. 

Here's a flashback from February 12 of this year

The woman reported the incident to diocese administrator Monsignor Richard Gilles in September and met with diocesan attorney Jim Birnbaum, according to the report. It’s unclear why she met with Gilles instead of then-Bishop Jerome Listecki, now archbishop of the Milwaukee diocese.

“He (Gilles) told me that Bishop Listecki takes these things very seriously and that he would file a report and give it to him,” the woman testified in January before a state Senate committee in Madison. “Now, if I were the bishop, I would have had me sitting in a chair the next day.”

The diocese did investigate the report, Birnbaum said. Donkor-Baine, a Ghana resident who came to the U.S. for medical care, denied the offense.

“Sufficient evidence did not exist to confirm the woman’s story,” Birnbaum said. “There were no other like or similar allegations ever made.”

A Dec. 22 letter from Listecki to the woman stated he “cannot conclusively determine what happened.”

Still, Donkor-Baine was ordered not to have contact with the woman or St. James parish, where he led Mass. Listecki also recommended she avoid Franciscan Skemp Healthcare and Viterbo University, where Donkor-Baine provided ministry services and occasionally led Mass.

“Basically, it was Bishop Listecki’s blow-off letter to me,” the woman testified at the Madison hearing, which Listecki attended.

The diocese’s spotty communication with the woman and lack of reprimand against Donkor-Baine led her to report the assault to law enforcement in December, reports stated. She thought the diocese hoped the accusations would disappear, according to reports.

The diocese disagrees with the woman’s statements, Birnbaum said, but he declined to elaborate with the ongoing criminal investigation.

Peter Isely, the Midwest director for the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, said the woman approached the organization in November.

“I said, ‘Go to the DA. Go to the police,’” Isely said.

Donkor-Baine was arrested Jan. 25.

“I don’t know who to trust anymore,” the woman said in her testimony. “The people I thought I knew I guess I don’t really know anymore. And to have that rug ripped out from underneath you is unbelievable.”

 This woman sounds emotionally unstable to say the least. 

Fr Umberger trial set for Oct. 19

An Onalaska priest accused of having three sexually graphic pictures of nearly nude children stood mute Wednesday to a felony charge filed against him.

A not guilty plea was entered on behalf [...because he won't lie already admitted his guilt] of the Rev. Patrick Umberger, 59, to one count of possession of child pornography after a judge bound the priest over for trial when he waived his preliminary hearing in La Crosse County Circuit Court. The case is set next for an Oct. 19 status conference.

Umberger, a priest at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish in Onalaska since 2005, was arrested July 14 at the rectory when state agents said they discovered the photographs on his computer, according to the complaint.

The priest told a state agent he is sexually attracted to boys and young men and searched the Internet for pictures of boys 12 to 15 years old, the complaint stated.[Anyone know how to find the report?]

He denied ever having sexual contact with children but did admit to using a software program that regularly cleaned his computer hard drive.

Umberger, who also taught at St. Patrick School and is chaplain at Aquinas Middle School, has been removed from active ministry pending the investigation.

His arrest comes almost one year after a family and two Wisconsin Dells Noah’s Ark Water Park employees said they saw Umberger follow several young boys into a bathroom by a children’s pool area July 22, 2009, according to a Lake Delton police report.

Umberger was found standing next to a 10-year-old using a urinal and told an officer he was near the restrooms because he had prostate problems and had to urinate often, the report stated. [By the way, Umberger was there with his sister and her family, not by himself....]

Park officials revoked his season pass and placed him on a watch list. [But that doesn't explain why he had a season pass]

Umberger told state agents that La Crosse Diocese attorney Jim Birnbaum and vicar for clergy the Rev. Joe Hirsch counseled him about the incident after receiving a letter about the water park incident.

Birnbaum said previously he discussed the incident with Umberger but couldn’t recall when or who else was present at the meeting, and that no restrictions were placed on the priest after verifying his medical condition.  [Does it really matter if Listecki was there or not?  If Umberger lied to all of them, what else could they have done?]

The diocese issued a statement Friday saying it was “shocked and saddened” by the criminal charge.

“The diocese was not aware of any computer misuse, any attractions to boys by Father Umberger and much of what has been currently reported,” the diocese stated.

The diocese declined to elaborate or return Tribune phone calls pending the criminal case. [Legal beagles barking even though they want to]

La Crosse Tribune

Obviously this thing wont go to trial.  I wonder what the DA wants for a sentence.

To catch up on some other news

La Crosse - The Rev. Robert Chukwu, 59, made the plea in Crawford County Circuit Court to three counts of misdemeanor theft and entered an 18-month deferred prosecution agreement, said Jim Birnbaum, attorney for the La Crosse Diocese. The plea means Chukwu admits no wrongdoing but concedes a jury likely would have found him guilty.

Two of the three charges will be dismissed after 18 months if Chukwu obeys all conditions of the agreement, Birnbaum said. A restitution amount will be determined at a later hearing.

A felony theft charge filed Jan. 29 accused Chukwu of sending money and items to priests, a nun, a school and family in Nigeria between Jan. 1, 2007, and Dec. 31, 2009, according to the complaint. He holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Nigeria and had been assigned to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gays Mills and St. Phillip’s Catholic Church in Soldiers Grove.

La Crosse Tribune

Waukesha - The former pastor of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Brookfield who was charged this year with the theft of $9,300 in church funds was sentenced Wednesday to 100 days in the county work release jail.

Leonard Van Vlaenderen, 51, of Cudahy was convicted by Waukesha County Circuit Judge J. Mac Davis after Van Vlaenderen pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of felony theft.

Davis left open the option that Van Vlaenderen could serve his jail term in Milwaukee County, where the priest lives and cares for his elderly mother and aunt.

If Milwaukee County authorities agree, Van Vlaenderen could end up serving much or all of his jail term at home on electronic monitoring, officials said.

Davis told Van Vlaenderen to report to the Waukesha County work release jail on July 28 unless arrangements are made by then for him to serve his sentence in Milwaukee County.

Van Vlaenderen was accused of obtaining repayment from the church for computer equipment that had been purchased in March 2006 and August 2006 with a parishioner's credit card but was returned for refunds, according to a criminal complaint filed in Waukesha County Circuit Court.

Van Vlaenderen used receipts from the purchases to request reimbursement from the church, the complaint says.

The parishioner told police she had no idea Van Vlaenderen planned to seek reimbursement.

He also was accused of using church funds to purchase a computer in March 2004 that was given to a Chicago resident, the complaint states.

Van Vlaenderen has been under scrutiny since his arrest in December 2007 on a misdemeanor charge of possessing cocaine. He was convicted of that charge in 2008 and spent a year on probation.

The church began reviewing its finances in December 2007, shortly after the arrest of Van Vlaenderen, who arrived at the church in 2002.

An audit that the church conducted showed that the church lost nearly $128,000 over three years in thefts of cash from its weekly collections, and the audit found a correlation between the missing money and the tenure of Van Vlaenderen.

Van Vlaenderen, who is on medication for clinical depression, said he was sorry for what he did.

"I apologize to the court, to my family, my friends, to the parishioners of St. John Vianney, all of God's people of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for the hurt and disillusionment caused by my . . . clouded wisdom. Words cannot adequately express my remorse. I did wrong," he told Davis.

 JSOnline

Fr Umberger the webmaster, battle with cancer, & thoughts on diocese decision

To clear up this little misnomer first;  Fr. Pat Umberger is a priest of the Diocese of La Crosse. He is NOT the diocesan webmaster and did not have an office at the diocese.  It appears as though the implication is that he did this on diocesan property which he did not.  He is a parish priest of St Patrick's parish in Onalaska.  He at one point was the webmaster of the diocese, while still working as a full time parish priest.  As you might be able to tell from looking at the diocesan website, it was designed a long time ago and only recently has had content regularly updated.  The updates were done by diocesan staff.  The Tribune took the information from Fr. Umberger's website.

On 26 August 2005 Bishop Listecki named Father Pat Webmaster for the Diocese of La Crosse.

Fr. Umberger has definitely had no involvement with the diocesan website since he got cancer in 2008.

As best and I can piece together, there are some of the details on his cancer.

Date: April 8, 2008

As most of you know I was diagnosed with a Uveal Melanoma (Eye Cancer) twelve years ago. It was treated with Proton Beam Radiation in Boston and had been doing just fine, with some usable vision, until 15 months ago when there was an interior bleed. There has been no usable vision since then. I have undergone many surgeries in Boston and Rochester in the past months, and laser procedures to prevent abnormal vessels from breaking and to reduce eye pressure. Despite that the problems continue and the pressure remains eye and the eye painful and troublesome. We decided to day that it's the best course of action to remove the eye. I hope to have it done as soon as possible! I'll meet with a doctor at Mayo in Rochester tomorrow and set a date and course of action that will include a prosthetic eye in time (about 6 weeks after the surgery). I'm very much at peace with the course of action and have felt for some time that it's the best option. Keep me in your prayers. I'll let you know the exact date of the surgery soon! There will be no more pain, no more weakening eye-drops and no more trips to Boston. I'll only miss the trips to Boston.

Date November 24, 2008 

As you know, I was diagnosed this Summer with Multiple Myeloma. I'll be undergoing a Stem Cell Transplant at Mayo Clinic in Rochester during the month of December. This is not the "fetal stem cell" transplant the Church opposes, since it is necessary to destroy a life in order to obtain the stem cells. The stem cells will come from my own blood.  I'll be evaluated the first week of December, then receive injections to increase the number of stem cells and send them into the blood.  Then I'll be connected to machines five hours a day, when blood will be drawn and stem cells taken out. The stem cells will be frozen and I'll be given massive doses of Chemo.  Then the stem cells will be reintroduced.  The hope is that they'll start producing healthy blood cells.  When resistance returns, I'll be able to return home.  I should have Internet access during this time, and should be able to send Morning Prayer myself.  Keep me in your prayers and know you're remembered in mine as well!

And I finally found his blog where he updated his progress during the cancer treatment.
The last public post is this on January 9th 2009.

I had a more difficult day yesterday. I tried very hard to eat breakfast, but had nausea and was unable to keep it down. When we went to the Hospital my white blood cell count was .1 … which is where it needs to be. Platelets too, were very low … and today are at 8. I was given two liters of fluids and told to go home, but to watch my temperature. I was go call if it got up to 101.3. They were fairly sure it would reach that.

I wasn’t interested in anything yesterday. I slept all day simply because I was lying down. My caretaker said it was 5:30 and assumed that meant 5:30 in the morning. We took my temp and it was 101.4. Bill called Station 94 and they said to bring me in.

I continued to have diahhrea problems and still have that today. I was very weak, that’s for sure. So they did vitals, a bazillion blood and other tests, and then started IV’s for hydration and antibiotics as well. I imagine cultures will return soon.

People couldn’t be nicer or more helpful here. They say, “You’re in the bottom of the trench,” and thats where I need to be. Today I’ve received constant IV’s, platelets, red blood cells, antibiotics, etc.

Well, in short, I’ve been admitted to Methodist Hospital where I’ll stay for several days or even a week. But I’m in a very good and safe place. 70% or more of transplant patients end up in the hospital.]

I took no interest in anything today, sleeping most of the time … and going back and for the to the rest room. But at 5 or 5:30 I turned on the news. That’s been OK, but things seem to move awfully fast. Thanks so much for your precious prayers on my behalf. They’re precious to me, that’s for sure! Don’t stop praying now. And be assured of my ongoing prayerful support.

So I guess the point is when Umberger told the diocese and Birnbaum that he had problems with frequent urination, it seemed pretty damn probable that it came from his medical condition.  In hindsight, sure it could have been a warning sign.  But a priest of perfect record for 30 years, appeared to be exemplary in performing his duties, plus almost died from cancer treatment(that's why he stopped the blogging after this post) six months prior.....  Well, I'm pretty sure I'd make the same decision in those shoes.

For all Badger Catholic coverage of Fr Umberger, click here.

Statement from Diocese of La Crosse

On Wednesday, July 14, 2010, the Diocese of La Crosse and Aquinas Catholic Schools learned that Father Patrick Umberger had been arrested as part of a criminal investigation.

Father Umberger has served as pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Onalaska, as chaplain for St. Patrick School, and as chaplain of Aquinas Middle School. It is the policy of the Diocese that pending the outcome of the investigation, Father Umberger will not be assigned any duties, and that policy will be followed by the Diocese and Aquinas Catholic Schools.

This action should not be interpreted as an assessment of guilt or innocence. It is taken to protect all parties involved.

Consistent with diocesan practice, the Diocese has been in touch with and is cooperating with civil authorities. Aquinas Catholic Schools will cooperate fully with civil and diocesan authorities during this investigation.

Because this is an ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment from the Diocese or school officials.

All questions and requests for information should be directed to the diocesan attorney, James Birnbaum, at 608-784-1605.

 Diocese of La Crosse

Diocese knew of Umberger following boys into bathroom incident

The Diocese of La Crosse placed no restrictions on an Onalaska priest despite learning he had reportedly followed young boys into a water park bathroom last summer, the diocese attorney confirmed.

The Rev. Patrick Umberger, priest at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish in Onalaska since 2005, now is accused of having child pornography after a state Department of Justice investigation that traces back to the water park incident.

But the diocesan attorney Jim Birnbaum called the water park reports an “unsubstantiated allegation.”

Umberger, 59, also confessed to state agents he’d had anonymous sexual encounters with males and females, none of them minors. He visited gay chat rooms as well, he said, where online cameras showed nude individuals engaged in sex acts, according the DOJ report.

Umberger told state agents Wednesday he met with Birnbaum and Vicar the Rev. Joe Hirsch sometime after the July 22, 2009, incident at Noah’s Ark Water Park in Wisconsin Dells, according the report.

Umberger said the diocese received a letter about the incident, possibly from Lake Delton police, the report stated. Lake Delton police Chief Thomas Dorner said the department did not send the letter and has no record of sending a police report to the diocese.

A family and two Noah’s Ark Water Park employees reported seeing Umberger repeatedly follow boys into the bathroom near a children’s pool area, according to the Lake Delton police report.

Umberger was found standing next to a 10-year-old using a urinal, the report stated. Umberger denied intentionally following the boys and told an officer he had prostate problems and had to urinate often, according to the DOJ report.

Park officials revoked Umberger’s season pass and placed him on a watch list.

Birnbaum said Friday he discussed the incident with Umberger but couldn’t recall when or who else was present at the meeting. He declined to identify what exactly was discussed during the meeting, citing attorney-client privacy, but said the diocese verified Umberger’s medical condition that caused frequent urination.

Birnbaum termed the incident an “unsubstantiated allegation.”

“There was no crime,” he said.

The diocese did not impose any restrictions on Umberger’s contact with children, Birnbaum said.

“We’ve never had a complaint about him,” Birnbaum said.

Lake Delton police did forward its report to Onalaska police, who asked the Department of Justice to investigate Umberger for potential sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography.

Onalaska Assistant Chief Troy Miller said the department immediately turned to the DOJ, though he was unsure of the exact date, to avoid any conflict of interest. Many officers attend St. Patrick’s Parish, Miller said, and the department has an officer in the school for DARE and GREAT programs.

Umberger was arrested Wednesday at the church rectory and charged Thursday in La Crosse County Circuit Court with one count of possession of child pornography after agents discovered three sexually graphic photos of nearly nude children on his computer, according to the complaint.

Umberger was removed from active ministry and teaching pending the investigation. The diocese was not aware before the arrest of any improper computer use, Birnbaum said.

“What’s happening right now is a shock,” he said.

Umberger told a state agent Wednesday he is sexually attracted to boys and young men and searched the Internet for images of 12- to 15-year-olds, according to the complaint. But he denied ever having sexual contact with children.

Umberger, who told agents he had been receiving chemotherapy treatments for cancer, also is diocese webmaster, taught at St. Patrick’s School and is chaplain at Aquinas Middle School, according to his website. He previously served parishes in Arcadia, La Crosse, Mauston, Wonewoc and Elroy.

Tribune

I'll post my commentary once I get a chance.

Onalaska priest admits to porn possession - followed boys into bathroom

Onalaska police were aware a Catholic priest now charged with having child pornography repeatedly followed several young boys into a Wisconsin Dells water park bathroom almost a year ago, according to police reports and court records.

A family and two Noah’s Ark Water Park employees saw the Rev. Patrick Umberger, 59, trail the boys into the bathroom by a children’s pool area July 22, 2009, according to a Lake Delton Police Department report.

Umberger, priest at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish in Onalaska since 2005, was found standing next to a 10-year-old using a urinal, the report stated. He told an officer he was near the restrooms because he had prostate problems and had to urinate often.

The officer told Umberger that park officials had revoked his season pass and drove him to his car. The officer noted she questioned Umberger for an hour and he never had to use the restroom. Noah’s Ark Operations Manager Justin Strayer said in a statement Thursday that Umberger remains on the park’s watch list.

Lake Delton police also forwarded the report to the Onalaska Police Department, which later discovered photos of the priest with young boys on his Facebook page, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday in La Crosse County Circuit Court.

Onalaska police asked the state Department of Justice to investigate, but police would not say when or why.

Umberger told a state agent Wednesday he is sexually attracted to boys and young men and searched the Internet for pictures of boys 12 to 15 years old, according to the complaint.

His computer had three sexually graphic pictures of nearly nude children Wednesday, the complaint stated.

Umberger was charged Thursday with one count of possession of child pornography. He is prohibited contact with children and computers as part of his $10,000 signature bond and returns to court July 28 for a preliminary hearing.

Umberger denied ever having sexual contact with children, the complaint stated.

He did admit to using a software program that regularly scrubbed his computer hard drive.

Umberger’s removal from active ministry pending the investigation “should not be interpreted as any indication of assessment of guilt or innocence,” Diocese of La Crosse attorney Jim Birnbaum said. The diocese did not return Tribune phone calls seeking information on who would take over duties at St. Patrick’s.

Umberger also is diocese webmaster, taught at St. Patrick School and is chaplain at Aquinas Middle School, according to his website.

He previously served multiple stints around central and western Wisconsin, including stops at parishes in Arcadia, La Crosse, Mauston, Wonewoc and Elroy.

News of his arrest spread quickly through the St. Patrick’s parish membership.

“Everyone I talked to that is a member there is shocked,” said a church member who asked not to be named. “I mean, he’s our priest.”

Jessica Kirchner — an associate of Birnbaum — said in an e-mail to The Associated Press that the diocese was not aware of Umberger’s alleged inappropriate computer use.

Milwaukee Archdiocese spokeswoman Gillian Lester-George said in an e-mail that Archbishop Jerome Listecki, former bishop in La Crosse, was “surprised and saddened” to hear about Umberger’s arrest.

“Archbishop Listecki had no previous indication that there were any potential issues that would have prevented Fr. Pat from serving in public ministry,” Lester-George wrote.

The Department of Justice has asked that anyone with possible information on Umberger’s case call (715) 839-3830.

La Crosse Tribune

Needless to say, I think this is a big shock to everybody in the diocese.

In regards to the "diocese webmaster" title he has on his website; this information is outdated. My understanding is that Fr. Umberger has not been the diocesan webmaster since he started cancer treatments a few years ago. The diocese has staff hired that now works on the website. They still use Umberger's original design though.

Regarding the cancer, he had almost died. He had been updating a blog daily on his progress and he was in rough shape. It was my understanding that most parishioners who knew the details thought he wouldn't make it. The blog appears to have been taken down now.

I think it makes this revelation all the more shocking as he was very well known in the diocese and thought of as fighting the good fight. The Catholic Times had run a story on him in the last six months and his web ministry. Unfortunately it's not online.

Also, Msgr. Bernard McGarty had been helping out alot at St Pats in Umberger's absence during his cancer treatment and recovery. He is a retired priest from La Crosse. I assume in the interim that he will again be the one filling in.

As disturbing as this is, let's not forget to pray for Fr. Umberger, for his conversion, and especially for the children exploited in those photographs.  

Onalaska priest charged with child porn posession *update

MADISON - State agents have arrested an Onalaska priest suspected of possessing child pornography.

The state Justice Department issued a statement saying the Rev. Patrick Umberger was taken into custody today. He has not been formally charged and the statement offered no other details except to say the agency's Internet Crimes Against Children's Task Force was involved.

Messages left at the Diocese of La Crosse and with Umberger's attorney weren't immediately returned. According to Umberger's Web site, he serves at St. Patrick's Parish and teaches at the parish school. He also describes himself as the diocese's webmaster.

La Crosse Tribune


Fr. Umberger has not been the diocesan webmaster for some time.  He almost died (I think most people thought he wouldn't make it) due to a recent bout with cancer.  Barely surviving he has only recently worked his way back into full-time active ministry.  He also sponsors children in the missions in Africa.  I'm pretty doubtful on this one.  If so, the state Justice Department will have alot of explaining to do how they could destroy someones good name publicly, which will now never be fully repaired.  If it is true, miserere nobis. 

Update from Tribune:

State agents Wednesday arrested a Diocese of La Crosse priest for possession of child pornography after finding images on his computer, officials said. The Rev. Patrick Umberger, 59, is in the La Crosse County Jail and expected to appear today in La Crosse County Circuit Court. The state Department of Justice declined to release more information until a criminal complaint is filed.

Umberger, who serves St. Patrick’s Parish in Onalaska, has been removed from active ministry pending the investigation, Diocesan attorney Jim Birnbaum said.

“This action should not be interpreted as any indication of assessment of guilt or innocence,” Birnbaum said. “It is taken to protect all parties involved.”

The parish’s deacon, Frank Abnet, referred questions to the diocese. A message left there after hours Wednesday wasn’t immediately returned.

Umberger is a Stoddard native who was ordained in 1980 by former Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert Weakland after attending St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, according to his website. He has a bachelor’s degree in instrumental and vocal music from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Update 2

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (WXOW) -- The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, also known as SNAP, is responding to the arrest of Father Patrick Umberger.

In a statement released to the media, Peter Isely, the Midwest Director for the organization says, "The arrest by Wisconsin authorities of Fr. Patrick Umberger, a well known and longtime priest of the diocese of La Crosse, demonstrates once again that it is law enforcement that will provide the ultimate solution to the problem of clergy sex crimes."

Based on the statement, the group is highly critical of the way that the Catholic church handles sex abuse scandals.

"We hope that every person who may have seen, suspected or suffered from child sex crimes will find the courage and strength to report to law enforcement officials, not church officials, says Isely. "By speaking up, we can help protect others and heal ourselves. And by giving information to police and prosecutors, we can help keep sex offenders off the streets and off the internet."

WXOW runs all SNAP press releases.  Is SNAP inferring the Diocese of La Crosse knew he had child porn on his computer?? 

Milwaukee Vice Chancellor and Liberal Jesuit Accuse Two Outstanding Bishops of Derelection of Duty

I strongly suspect there are other motives for this self-righteous Open Letter of Father James O’Connell, issued while his bishop is away on retreat. Might these motives have something to do with the fact that Archbishop Burke and Bishop Listecki are two of the most uncompromising US bishops in publicly defending Church teaching, opposing pro-abortion politicians receiving the Eucharist, and insisting on a Catholic university’s obligation to enforce its Catholic identity if it advertises itself as “Catholic” ?

Catholic Culture reports: Father James O’Connell, vice chancellor of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and a member of the archdiocesan review board for sexual abuse cases, issued an open letter on June 17 in which he blasted the Diocese of La Crosse’s abuse policy. Father O’Connell asserts that the diocese has an inordinately high burden of proof for removing an accused priest from ministry. Read more here with a need-to- read link.

From Catholicism.org

Here Fr. O'Connell, SJ's op ed

Mil Journal Sentinel coverage

Blurb in the La Crosse Tribune

Within the Diocese of La Crosse, allegations of child sexual abuse by priests and deacons are investigated by a six-member Child Sexual Abuse Review Board that determines whether cases should be sent to the Catholic church's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome.

Appointed by the bishop, the board includes a former public defender, a clinical psychologist and a retired police detective who investigated sexual assault cases.

"This is not a push-over board," said James Birnbaum[a liberal himself], the diocese's attorney. "Our board is a very experienced, very savvy board."

All reports are confidential, and no record is made of the board's proceedings.

From the Diocese of La Crosse (couldn't find on Diocese website)

The Diocese of La Crosse has just learned that a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, with no knowledge of the Diocese of La Crosse, has issued a public statement criticizing the Diocese of La Crosse for not timely addressing his personal highly technical opinion of church law.

The Diocese took immediate steps to address his technical church law question and both reviewed with and retained independent canonical counsel to address that question. (See attached correspondence to the USCCB from the Diocesan Administrator Msgr. Richard Gilles dated April 29, 2010 and May 11, 2010.) As explained in the policy, the standard applied by the Diocese of La Crosse Child Sexual Abuse Review Board is “sufficiently confirmed”, a lower standard of proof than “beyond a reasonable doubt”.

In addition, an immediate review of all cases before the Board occurred to determine if, in any case, a finding of insufficiency was based upon any canonical technicality. The Diocese of La Crosse Child Sexual Abuse Review Board includes its Chair, a practicing attorney who previously was a state public defender; a retired police detective sergeant who investigated child sexual abuse cases; and a clinical psychologist who drafted La Crosse County’s Child Sexual Abuse Review protocols, all members well qualified to make such judgments. No such cases exist. The Board is confident that no child in the Diocese of La Crosse is at risk from any clergy.

The Diocese of La Crosse complies with both the letter and the spirit of the law by reporting and cooperating with authorities regarding all complaints of child sexual abuse. The best evidence of the effectiveness of the Diocese of La Crosse Safe Environment Program is that there have been no current confirmed cases of child sexual abuse in the Diocese of La Crosse by clergy since the very public prosecution and conviction in Marathon County in 2001 of Timothy Svea, a member of a Religious Institute. In that case, the Diocese both immediately reported the accusation and assisted the civil authorities in that conviction.

Despite any conjecture to the contrary, the Diocese of La Crosse is confident that all aspects of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People are being applied and enforced and that its children are safe.

Although we've seen SNAP (particularly in Wisconsin) going after the Church(instead of working with them), I think this might have more to do with Marquette.  O'Connell pouting because of Listecki's influence over the O'Brien incident?  Listecki stated he already discussed the issue with O'Connell; so why make things public?  How many liberal Jesuits (that's not redundant anymore) in Milwaukee are happy right now?  More than anything else, this priest I think is hoping to sling mud at anyone and everyone "conservative".  I think it makes the new pick for Marquette president all the more interesting.  Turn up the heat and hope Arch Listecki will zip-it over the new president. 

H/T Dad29

Hearing set on Tribune request to unseal Bryan Stanley records

There's some local stir over a local murderer who will be released from jail soon was released from jail in March, but his records have been sealed so no one will know where or when.   

[Judge] Gonzalez approved Stanley’s release into La Crosse County during a hearing March 31, 2009. But she unexpectedly granted a request from Stanley’s attorney to seal all release details — including the date, address and treatment — under state mental health laws.

Stanley, then 29, shot custodian William Hammes, the Rev. John Rossiter and lay minister Ferdinand Roth Sr. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in February 1985. Angered the priest had allowed girls to give Scripture readings during Mass, Stanley said he was a prophet sent to cleanse the church, according to Tribune archives.

“If you’re entitled to know, as a matter of public policy, where someone is living who 10 years ago may have had sex in high school with his girlfriend who was underage, I think you probably would want to know where a person who committed a triple homicide who suffers from mental health conditions is and what measures are taken to ensure that he continues on his path of recovery and maintenance,” [Tribune attorney Jim] Birnbaum said.

La Crosse Tribune

Can't say I disagree with Mr. Birnbaum. 

Background on Bryan Stanley murders:
Archived article - Part 1
Archived article - Part 2

More from La Crosse Library Archives.

Wis Dems hope to give trial lawyers a boost in these tough economic times

MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - A Wisconsin senator says she’ll try again next year to help bring justice to victims of child sex abuse. Stevens Point Democrat Julie Lassa was a main sponsor of the Child Victims Act that died when the legislative session ended last week. It would have removed the statute of limitations for victims of child sex abuse to file civil suits.
Right now, the current age limit is 35 – but Lassa and others say many victims are not able to deal with their attacks until much later in life. This was the second time the measure was introduced, and Lassa said it got further in the process than the first time, because lawmakers held public hearings on it.
Catholic Church leaders, including new Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki, testified against the measure. La Crosse Diocese attorney Jim Birnbaum says everyone agrees that perpetrators must be brought to justice. But if this bill passes, he says the state should also do away with the sovereign immunity law which prohibits or limits damages in cases involving public employees.
Lassa calls that a bogus argument which basically says, “If we can’t catch all pedophiles, then we shouldn’t catch any.” She said the removal of the statute of limitations would apply in all abuse cases, private or public.

The ironic thing is La Crosse Diocese attorney Jim Birnbaum is a large supporter of the Democratic Party, including contributing to the election of now President Obama.   

I know a few people who have brought complaints to the diocese about Birnbaum, but no action has been taken.  I don't know what his position on abortion is. 

Back to Lassa, when the Murphy case was rehashed recently, she was hopeful it would help push this bill through.  Just one problem, Murphy is dead.  Are they going to go after Weakland?  What seems to not be a concern for these Democrats is the healing of the victims or the perpetrators brought to justice.  But they are concerned about the money.  I assume the hope is that the Archdiocese of Milwaukee will have to sell some churches or schools or hospitals to payout to victims and their lawyers.  I highly doubt this law will apply to any other institute but the Church.  Happy Friday Sen. Lassa!

La Crosse Diocese amends its sex abuse policies for minors

Dad29 alerted me to this Journal Sentinel article from yesterday that stated

the La Crosse Diocese on Monday amended its sex abuse policies to recommend victims notify civil authorities, in addition to the diocese, in cases involving minors - a move that brings it more in line with Milwaukee's policies.

This was news to me.  I blogged earlier stating I was under the impression that the Diocese of La Crosse already had the policy that minor abuse was always reported to the authorities, but this is not the case.   Here is where I got that impression

Authorities by law must immediately be notified if the sexual abuse report to the bishop involves a child, La Crosse diocesan attorney Jim Birnbaum said. But the diocese has no such obligation in complaints by adults — nor does any other organization or employer, Birnbaum said.

So perhaps Birnbaum is saying that current law requires it so it need not be in diocesan policy.  I think it needs to be in diocesan policy. 

Here is the policy update.

Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities.

I think it is a reasonable policy to but I don't see any situation where an administrator or bishop should feel like it is in the best interest of the diocese to not report abuse of a minor.  Right, but what if it turns out to be not true.  Even in that case the diocese takes a great risk.  Yes we need to protect priests good names but if there isn't a way to do this legally right now, the bishops of Wisconsin should try to work with legislators to see that these matters can be handled privately by law enforcement unless charges are filed.  Unfortunately the current Wisconsin policy makers are a mess full of liberals hoping to destroy not help the Catholic Church in Wisconsin. 

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee will lead the way here regardless of what is happening in La Crosse.