Federal judge says no safety concern in Milwaukee Archdiocese

A federal judge says she has not found evidence that people should be concerned about current employees of the Milwaukee Archdiocese. The judge made comments in court weeks after advocates for sex abuse victims said the Archdiocese faced a personal safety crisis.

“From my independent review, without an agenda, my review shows there is no public safety concern. None whatsoever,” Judge Susan Kelley said.

Earlier this month, lawyers for victims of sexual abuse said there were 100 new sex offenders identified in more than 8,000 accounts of sexual abuse (in their claims). This number was well publicized.

Members of SNAP (The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) called those numbers a “personal safety crisis.” The group wants an investigation into who these people are in case there are current members of the Archdiocese identified in court documents.

In response, the church says they have received calls from concerned parents terrified that sex offenders were still employed by the church.  [exactly what Lassa-Pasch coalition wants]

The church argues all of the cases, including the newly-identified offenders, are from the past. On Tuesday, Archbishop Jerome Listecki released a statement to members of his church saying “Attorneys said there are 75 new priests named in claims who are not listed on the Archdiocesan website. What they neglected to say is that all of the priests are either dead or have been reported to the district attorney.”

 Fox6

WTMJ reporting:

Not only did federal judge Susan Kelley disagree, she called Wednesday's hearing a distraction, by people with an agenda.

Abp. Listeck blasts Lassa-Pasch coalition, sloppy MJS reporting, sets the record straight

My emphasis:

Since my return from Rome last week, I have been catching up on all the things that happened while I was away for the ad limina trip and the consistory where my friend and predecessor Timothy M. Dolan was elevated to the office of Cardinal.

The first thing that confronted me was the media coverage of the archdiocese’s Chapter 11 proceeding and statements made about the number of abuse claims filed and the safety of children in the Church today.
Any instance of sexual abuse of a minor is a disgusting sin and a horrible crime. My heartfelt apology goes out to anyone who has been harmed. When Pope Benedict visited the United States in April 2008, he rightly referred to the sexual abuse of children by priests as “evil” and a “sin,” acknowledging that the crisis was “sometimes very badly handled by Church leaders.”

However, statements reported as facts in the media, go beyond the adversarial rhetoric we have come to expect in this proceeding. On top of that, several state legislators, without having access to factual information regarding any of the claims, compounded the issue by calling for the state attorney general to investigate, unaware that both old and new claims have been turned over to and been reviewed by district attorneys for more than a decade.

The combination of these two actions is, to me, the equivalent of shouting “fire” in a crowded movie theater and it set off a number of anxious inquiries from our people to which I feel compelled to respond. Here are the facts about the archdiocese’s policies and protocols that have been rigorously followed since 2002.

First, of all the claims filed in the archdiocesan bankruptcy only one (1) claim alleges sexual abuse occurring since 2000. That means the vast majority of claims allege incidents of abuse that date back decades, in some cases more than 70 years.[the Lassa-Pasch coalition and MJS support prosecution of dead priests] This means the Safe Environment education and protocols implemented by the archdiocese in the mid-1990s are working. As a point of comparison, there have been more than 40 cases of sexual abuse in our state involving public school personnel since 2000 -- and those are just the cases where a person was convicted in court.

Second, it is true that some new names of diocesan priests did surface in the claims process. In those instances, if the accused is still alive, the claim has been sent to the appropriate district attorney’s office for review. If the district attorney chooses not to pursue the case, the archdiocese follows its policies and conducts an independent investigation. During that time, the priest is restricted from public ministry. In addition, any claim against a religious order priest is sent to the religious order with a copy of the allegation sent to the district attorney. This has been diocesan policy for years and it was at my insistence that we worked with the claimants’ attorneys to ensure we could continue this investigative process in Chapter 11. We encourage anyone making a claim involving a lay person to also follow our lead and report the claim to the district attorney.

Third, and just as important, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has listed the names of diocesan priests with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor on its website since 2004. When Cardinal Dolan made the decision to list these names, he faced a tremendous amount of criticism since the majority of those listed were never convicted of a crime. No other organization that I am aware of has taken such a drastic step to publicly identify perpetrators within its own organization. Our state legislators should demand public school districts to do the same for teachers and school employees who have been charged with sexual abuse.

Fourth, claimants’ attorneys said there are 75 new priests named in claims who are not listed on the archdiocesan website. What they neglected to say is that all of these priests are either dead or have been reported to the district attorney.

Fifth, claims filed in the Chapter 11 totaled approximately 570 claims. Attorneys representing abuse survivors have attempted to make the pool of claims as large as possible, including at least three tort attorneys who purchased television advertising to solicit clients. In a claims process, anyone can say anything about anybody. Now the system will evaluate those claims.

There is no excuse for what happened within the Church. But there is also no excuse for public officials or media to hold the Church to a different standard than other institutions in society.

As a Church, WE voluntarily hold ourselves to a higher standard. I wish each perpetrator could be punished under criminal law, but as the district attorneys tell us, that is not possible. Instead, the Church has imposed its own rigorous standards and consequences, as proven by the 44 priest-perpetrators listed on the archdiocesan website who either are no longer priests or can no longer serve in any public ministry. We exercise this degree of accountability regardless of the criminal statutes of limitations and it goes beyond what civil authorities can impose.

Since 2004, the archdiocese voluntarily implemented a mediation system that allowed abuse survivors to seek the resolution the criminal courts would not allow, namely, a way to receive assurance their perpetrator was held accountable and that they themselves received pastoral, spiritual, therapeutic and financial considerations. We fought to try and continue this mediation system in the bankruptcy proceeding, but claimants’ attorneys said “no.”

Our Safe Environment initiatives have trained more than 30,000 people who work with children; conducted criminal background checks on staff and volunteers; and provided tools and training for people to recognize suspicious behavior.

These continued attacks on the Church are to be expected. They’ve been happening in different forms for centuries. They have been elevated during this past decade when the Church has admittedly been humbled by the clergy sexual abuse crisis. Reporters, editorial writers and some legislators will use this opportunity to try and weaken the Church’s teaching authority, especially on social issues such as marriage, abortion, workers’ rights, health care and religious freedom. I will not allow that to happen.

In the Chapter 11 proceeding, our goals remain the same. The archdiocese wants to reach resolution with abuse survivors and continue its essential ministries for those who rely upon the Church for assistance.

During this penitential season of Lent, we must humble ourselves in front of our Lord, asking forgiveness for our sins and demonstrating our resolve to ensure nothing like this can ever happen again. As the leader of this Catholic community, I must also call for all involved in this proceeding to act justly and speak truthfully as we continue to reach out and attempt to bring healing through the mandate of Christ to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

In His Name,

Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki

Arch Milwaukee

Wow!
 
Photo

Wisconsin Democrats want probe into Milwaukee Archdiocese sex offense

MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - Nine Democratic state lawmakers have asked the Justice Department to investigate an attorney's claim that eight-thousand sex offenses were committed by people connected with the Milwaukee Catholic Archdiocese.

At a court hearing last week, Jeff Anderson said up to 100 previously undisclosed offenders committed the crimes.

If it's true, the legislators said it's nothing short of a "public safety crisis." And they said the hiding of the offenses might have resulted in hundreds of other abuses against children as well.

Justice spokeswoman Dana Brueck says the agency will review the lawmakers' request.

Anderson made the allegation to a judge investigating compensation claims by over 570 victims of sex abuse by priests. Those claims were made as part of the church's Chapter 11 bankrtupcy reorganization.

Peter Isley of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said he would welcome a Justice Department review. The lawmakers seeking it are Senators Julie Lassa, Lena Taylor, Bob Jauch, and Jessica King -- and Representatives Sandy Pasch, Chris Taylor, Kelda Helen Roys, Robert Turner, and Terese Berceau.

WTAQ

Retry of Trial Lawyer Stimulus Bill in Wisconsin

Wisconsin lawmakers and advocates for victims of sex abuse are using this weekend’s Badger game against Penn State as the backdrop for re-introducing legislation that would make it easier for victims to sue their perpetrators in civil court.

State Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) and Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay) are announcing today that they will re-introduce the so-called Child Victims Act that has failed at least twice in recent years.

The measure would eliminate the statute of limitations in future cases involving the sexual assault of a child by an adult. And it would open a two-year window to refile cases in which victims were previously barred by earlier statutes of limitations.  [Yes, that means we can dig up dead bishops and priests and make us Catholics pay for it.  Not extending the limitation, but removing it completely.  Wisconsin was made a state in 1848.]

Members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, which has lobbied unsuccessfully for similar bills over the last two legislative sessions, will join Lassa and Pasch at a news conference this afternoon at the capitol.  [I have some old posts on SNAPs push for this if you are interested]

“The bills will bring crucial reforms to the state’s statute of limitations on civil suits in sexual assault cases involving children, and would help prevent the serial child abuse that happened at Penn State,” SNAP’s Milwaukee director, John Pilmaier, said in a statement. [... maybe I'm missing something but how does extending the limitation have any effect on what happens today.  There are already laws in place for these kinds of abuses, right?]

The measure, which is modeled after legislation passed in other states, failed to make it to the floor in the last two legislative sessions. It was opposed by Wisconsin’s Catholic bishops, the Wisconsin Conference of Churches and others who said it could financially ruin religious institutions and their ability to minister to the poor and vulnerable.  [Listen, I really am in favor of state intervention in these matters, but let's ask a question.  Why aren't we extending the statue of limitations on criminal cases??  Why is it only the money maker that's getting extended?  Remember what SNAP sees when they see your church.  I can't imagine the pain that this kind of abuse caused families, but unfortunately those with an agenda against what the Catholic Church teaches want to use this as an opportunity to financially destroy as much of the Church as they can.]

It comes against the backdrop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee bankruptcy, in which nearly 100 people have filed claims alleged sexual abuse by clergy or employees when they were children. The archdiocese has suggested it will move to bar at least some of those claims because the civil statute of limitations has passed.

State law currently bars victims from suing after they reach age 35.

MJS Faith Watch

Just because one time Catholic Julie Lassa was reprimanded by her former bishop(who happens to now be Wisconsin's third cardinal) for supporting unlimited taxpayer funded abortion rights, she has made it her business to stick it to the Church in any way she can.

Photo

Wigderson: reviewing last years predictions

New Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki will publicly criticize Catholic politicians by name for supporting legalized abortion, domestic partnerships, and embryonic stem cell research.

I’m sorry Archbishop, I couldn’t hear you over the crickets.

Lib & Pub

*nodding*

 ...well of course it seems like we still did okay without it. Also these things usually start in private and after several warnings go public.  Even then-bishop Burke never actually named names when he informed Julie Lassa that she could not receive communion in his diocese.  She's the one that went public to the media. 

The Wis Cath Con statement was weak though and almost completely ignored by any media.

I noticed...

...something weird.  A ton of people have been viewing an article I posted on Julie Lassa and Sean Duffy(written by The Catholic Times).  The views have not been linked so I suspect some newsletter linked to it and people are accessing from their inboxes.  There is an anonymous commenter who supports abortion that has followed all my posts on Julie Lassa(always defending her position).  Commenter has been persistent to claim that making abortion illegal will increase the number of abortions, ergo, one has a moral obligation to support legalized abortion.  This faulty logic is known as Proportionalism, which is condemned by the Church.  My suspicion is some "community organization" (taxpayer funded?) has taken an interest in it.  I'm not sure why.  There's not much to it and I was much more critical of Lassa in other posts.  If anyone hears, I'd love to know the source.

Wisconsin election roundup

Wisconsin now has a pro-life governor.  Sconnie's now have a "pro-life" senator for the first time since 1993 and the first time a pro-life Republican defeated a pro-abortion incumbent since 1980 in the Reagan election.

Here's lookin at you Herbie in 2012.  Kohl will be 77 at that point.  I think I read he stated he has no intention of retiring but we will see the mood of the country.  He's won his last 2 of his last 3 elections by 20% and the last election by over 30%.  It takes alot of money which Kohl has. 

Pro-lifers like Badger Catholic endorsed Sean Duffy beats pro-abortion "Catholic" Julie Lassa in district 7.  Also pro-life Reed Ribble wins district 8. 

Pro-life Dan Kapanke came up a little short in WI District 3.  One thing that worked against Kapanke was the Eau Claire doctors claiming Ron Kind staffers wanted to charge them for an audience.  Kind then laid the victim card down and I think that was a big help to him. Not to mention Kind outspent Kapanke 4-1.  Had national GOP recognized it was a close race and chipped in, we would be seeing another pro-abort booted out.

Kind had harsh words for his opponent Tuesday night, calling the attacks desperate campaigning by a desperate candidate.

“Take a look at who he surrounded himself with. I expected this kind of last-minute assassination on my integrity and my character,” Kind said. “For him to take such a low road, I think he’s made a pact with the devil that he’s going to have to live with for a long time.”

So much for Mr. Nice Guy.  Can you say sore winner.  #1 it's politics.  #2 you're a politician.  Funny, lets look at how Ron Kind went about his campaign:

In an open letter to Kind after the state Democratic Party accused Kapanke of money laundering[to pay for lights at a city owned ballpark], Kapanke urged his opponent to stay above the fray so they can greet each other in church on good terms.

Yet the campaigns unfolded decidedly negative.

Kind says Kapanke's unprovoked letter to the editor Sept. 5, which accuses Kind of mudslinging, shouldn't be mistaken for the opening bell.

"From day one, given Sen. Kapanke's website, his campaign has been nothing but slash-and-burn politics against me[He's the 2 million dollar victim I guess]," he said. "Although he wasn't buying TV and radio, that campaign was certainly doing everything they could to attack me."  [Kind outspent Kapanke 4-1]

That letter dragged him into the fight, Kind said. Kapanke was assailing him, rather than taking responsibility for his ethics breach.

"Dan's had some problems that he's had to resolve, and then he turned around and made me part of the story. That was uncalled for," Kind said. "That was going too far." [I think support for taxpayer funded abortions is a real ethical breach, doncha think?]

In contrast, here's what Kapanke had to say about Kind

"This isn't about Ron Kind as a person. I know his family. I like his family, which is why I've stayed really focused on the issues. If I was happy with the job Ron was doing, I probably wouldn't be doing this. A couple votes here and there, I wouldn't run," Kapanke said.

And the State Assembly and Senate are now in the hands in Republicans.

In contests that drew national attention, Democrats lost control of both the state Assembly and Senate in Tuesday's voting, giving Republicans control of all of state government for the first time since 1998.

The stunning victory amid high unemployment and economic turmoil in the state represented the first time a political party had won both houses of the Legislature in a single day of voting since 1938, when Republicans swept out the waning Progressive Party.

The new GOP majorities will have the potential power to pass tax and spending cuts sought by Governor-elect Scott Walker as well as redraw the lines of political districts to make it easier to elect Republican congressional and legislative candidates. But they also face the challenge of balancing a $3 billion budget deficit projected for the next two years.

In a key Senate race, Rep. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) defeated freshman Sen. Jim Sullivan (D-Wauwatosa) in the 5th District. Adding to the sting, Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Wausau) and Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville) both conceded their re-election battles.

A good morning.  Get ready to work elephants.  

La Crosse Catholic Times profiles Sean Duffy and Julie Lassa

ASHLAND, Wis. – The battle for the 7th U.S. Congressional district in Wisconsin – which includes Chippewa, Clark, Marathon, Portage and Wood Counties in the Diocese of La Crosse – is being fought between Wisconsin state senator from the 24th district Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) and former district attorney for Ashland County Sean Duffy (R-Ashland). Lassa and Duffy are vying for the seat left vacant by Democrat David Obey, who is retiring after 41 years in the House of Representatives.

Duffy spoke to The Catholic Times about issues important to Catholics, while Lassa was unavailable – after repeated attempts to contact her through phone and e-mail. Much of the information about her positions on issues can be found at her campaign website and various media outlets and organizations supporting her candidacy.

Faith and integrity

A member of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Ashland, in the Diocese of Superior, Duffy said, “I intend to take my Catholicism to Washington, D.C.” “I think our faith is a part of everything we do in our lives, whether as a husband, a father, my former role as a prosecutor and now as a candidate,” he said. “My faith has a role in every aspect of who I am.”

Although no mention is made on her campaign Web site of Lassa’s Catholicism, the Web site does state, “As the oldest of three children Julie learned the importance of hard work, the value of a dollar, and that honesty and integrity are a necessity. Those are the same values that Julie and her husband John are teaching their two daughters growing up in Stevens Point.”

Pro-life/pro-choice

The difference between Duffy and Lassa on the issue of abortion is clear cut – if only because of the organizations, such as the pro-abortion EMILY’s List headquartered in Washington, and Planned Parenthood, endorsing Lassa for her proabortion stance, despite being a Catholic.

Duffy sees the issue of abortion as a straightforward case of legal protection for the most vulnerable. “I am 100 percent prolife without exceptions,” he said. “It’s pretty straightforward. To qualify, I believe that if we have the life of a mother as an issue, the mother’s life takes priority, but we must make every effort to save the life of the child.”

Besides Roe v. Wade decision itself, the greatest threat, Duffy said, to the unborn at this time is the federal funding which will allow for abortions under the new health care reform law signed last March by President Obama.

“I’m opposed to this funding and want to make sure that the Hyde Amendment is continued,” he said, referring to the annual appropriations rider which outlaws federal funding of abortion. “As powerful as that amendment may or may not be, it’s all we have right now and I want to make sure that continues so federal dollars aren’t funneled into abortions in the U.S. or around the world.”

Extending his pro-life commitment to women as well as babies, Duffy said that he will also do all he can to address the issues facing both the unborn and expectant mothers. “I think it’s important that we have programs in place for women who find themselves with unplanned pregnancies,” he said. “If we’re pro-life, we need to help women who find themselves in that situation [by providing] life-affirming options so they can choose life. Our community and sometimes our government has to get involved to make sure we support women in that situation.”

Health care

On the issue of health care reform, Duffy and Lassa agree that more can be done than what the health care reform bill which President Obama signed into law last March proposes.

“The health care in place can be better,” Duffy said. “I don’t think this is the bill that was going to accomplish the end goal of increasing access and reducing costs. There are some good things in the bill. … But if you look at this 2,600 page bill and all that’s put into it and how it’s going to reform the system, I don’t think the end objectives will take place. This is a trillion dollar bill over 10 years with $500 billion from Medicare and another $500 billion from tax increases. … It’s not sustainable.”

But at the minimum, he hopes to be able to help strike any provisions that will fund abortions with federal funding. “If we’re going to take the bill and make it more effective, one of the parts we’re going to be looking at carving out, is the part about abortion,” he said.

At her campaign website, while admitting she’s not satisfied with the new health care law, Lassa said that Wisconsin will benefit from its provisions as they stand.

“The recently passed health care law, while needing improvement, contains many positive elements that help individuals and families,” the Web site states. “It prevents insurance companies from dropping our coverage when we get sick, bans discrimination based on pre-existing health conditions, creates tax credits for small businesses to provide health care to their employees, and lowers prescription drug costs for senior citizens. These are all positive steps forward.”

 Joseph O'Brien - The Catholic Times

I have never heard a Catholic candidate say "I intend to take my Catholicism to Washington, D.C."  What an idea!!

Great Sean Duffy ad

Time Magazine gave this ad the Best Viral Campaign Ads of 2010

What do you get when you combine a Wisconsin Republican, folksy tunes, flannel and some good ol' fashioned logrolling? Why, it's the lumberjackiest political ad of the season from former MTV reality star and timber sport enthusiast Sean Duffy. "Washington's reckless spending is spinning [cue log-rolling] our economy out of control," the young Republican says as a suited politician rolls a construction worker, child and grandma right into the lake.

By the way a recent independent poll done by "The Hill" newspaper found Sean is leading in the polls by 9 points!  I'm certain this is so because of his Badger Catholic endorsement.  :D

Archbishop Burke: Public Repentance is Required for Pro-Abort Politicians

ROME, October 12, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Speaking at the Human Life International World Prayer Congress Saturday, Archbishop Raymond Burke received sustained applause when he noted that Catholic politicians who support abortion are required to repent publicly. 
Speaking to pro-life leaders from 45 nations, the Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura (the highest Vatican court) also noted that those who recognize the scandal caused by such public, dissident Catholics assist the Church in repairing a serious breach, but are nevertheless often ridiculed for it.
(Read the complete talk - in PDF format - here)
Archbishop Burke stressed that “both bishops and the faithful” must be obedient to the Magisterium – which he described as the teaching of Christ as handed down through the successor of Peter and the bishops in union with him. “When the shepherds of the flock are obedient to the Magisterium, entrusted to their exercise, then surely the members of the flock grow in obedience and proceed with Christ along the way of salvation,” he said.  “If the shepherd is not obedient the flock easily gives way to confusion and error.”
Burke, who is also a member of the Congregation for Bishops added: “A most tragic example of the lack of obedience of faith, also on the part of certain Bishops, was the response of many to the Encyclical Letter Humanae vitae of Pope Paul VI, published on July 25, 1968.  The confusion which resulted has led many Catholics into habits of sin in what pertains to the procreation and education of human life.”
Humanae Vitae reiterated age-old Christian teaching on the immorality of the use of artificial contraception. However, after its publication the encyclical was repudiated by many within the Catholic Church, including priests and bishops, who had believed that the Church would changes its views on contraception.
Turning to the issue of scandal within the Church, the archbishop said, “We find self-professed Catholics, for example, who sustain and support the right of a woman to procure the death of the infant in her womb, or the right of two persons of the same sex to the recognition which the State gives to a man and a woman who have entered into marriage.  It is not possible to be a practicing Catholic and to conduct oneself publicly in this manner.”
To resounding applause Burke said, “When a person has publicly espoused and cooperated in gravely sinful acts, leading many into confusion and error about fundamental questions of respect for human life and the integrity of marriage and the family, his repentance of such actions must also be public.”
The Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura then voiced a concern that struck a deep chord with many of the Catholic pro-life activists present at the conference.  “One of the ironies of the present situation is that the person who experiences scandal at the gravely sinful public actions of a fellow Catholic is accused of a lack of charity and of causing division within the unity of the Church,” he said.  “One sees the hand of the Father of Lies at work in the disregard for the situation of scandal or in the ridicule and even censure of those who experience scandal.”
The Vatican prelate concluded the point stating:

Lying or failing to tell the truth, however, is never a sign of charity.  A unity which is not founded on the truth of the moral law is not the unity of the Church.  The Church’s unity is founded on speaking the truth with love.  The person who experiences scandal at public actions of Catholics, which are gravely contrary to the moral law, not only does not destroy unity but invites the Church to repair what is clearly a serious breach in Her life.  Were he not to experience scandal at the public support of attacks on human life and the family, his conscience would be uninformed or dulled about the most sacred realities.

Lifesitenews



HT Is anyone there

Hmmm A few politicians in Wisconsin that I think will opt out of the sackcloth and ashes.

Julie Lassa's record, the vindictive anti-Catholic

Julie Lassa (D) is running for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District against Badger Catholic endorsed Sean Duffy.  Lassa was at one time a Catholic, although I don't see this published anywhere so she may have apostatized. 

Lets look back to early 2004 when La Crosse still had a bishop by the name of Burke, who had recently been appointed archbishop of St. Louis.

Jan-8-2004 - LA CROSSE, Wis. (CNS) -- Archbishop Raymond L. Burke has formally notified Catholic lawmakers in the La Crosse Diocese that they cannot receive Communion if they continue to support procured abortion or euthanasia.

The four-paragraph canonical notification, published in the Jan. 8 edition of The Catholic Times, the La Crosse diocesan newspaper, called upon Catholic legislators in the diocese "to uphold the natural and divine law regarding the inviolable dignity of all human life."

"To fail to do so is a grave public sin and gives scandal to all the faithful," it said.

The two documents followed reports in the secular press in December that Archbishop Burke had sent private letters to three Catholic legislators in the diocese, warning them of the spiritual dangers of their votes against human life.

According to Archbishop Burke, the notification became necessary as an outcome of his correspondence with Catholic legislators. None of the three lawmakers to whom he wrote accepted his invitation for a private meeting to discuss their voting records, and in letters to the bishop indicated they were not open to changing their positions. 

"After several exchanges of letters, it became clear in all three cases that there was no willingness to conform to the teaching of the church," he said. "So the notification became a necessity in order that the faithful in the diocese not be scandalized, thinking that it is acceptable for a devout Catholic to also be pro-abortion."

Archbishop Burke has declined to name the three politicians but secular news reports have identified two of them as state Sen. Julie Lassa and U.S. Rep. David R. Obey, D-Wis.

Catholic News Service

So now that she had her feathers ruffled, she has decided to champion the cause of prosecuting dead priest for pedophilia.  The goal is to bankrupt schools and hospitals by allowing lawyers to sue Catholic entities (especially dioceses where those bullying bishops run their anti-woman political campaigns) back to 1848 when Wisconsin became a state.

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. [Not extended it, removed it.]

Trial Lawyer Stimulus Plan

And a few other interesting notes about her record as congresswoman legislator.

• Julie Lassa opposed legislation to provide conscience protection for medical professionals.
• Julie Lassa opposed strengthening parental consent before a minor girl’s abortion.
• Julie Lassa opposed informing a woman seeking an abortion after 20 weeks that her child will feel pain.
• Julie Lassa opposed a ban on human cloning.

Wis Right to Life 

And an important (but lesser) issue of fiscal responsibility

Lassa, a Democratic state senator,  thinks that merely pointing out the fact the U.S. was in a recession is enough to wash her hands of the state deficit.  But, in fact, the rest of the report shows specifically how actions by the Legislature contributed to future deficits; most notably, the use of one-time federal "stimulus" funds that won't be available in the next budget. 

 Lassa voted for the most recent budget which left the state with a $2.7 billion deficit, and voted for the previous budget which left the state with a $1.6 billion deficit before the recession even occurred.

Recession or not, Julie Lassa repeatedly voted for budgets that left the state with large deficits - including the budget to which the NRCC ad refers.  And her attempt to pull one sentence out of a lengthy report to obfuscate this politically damaging vote makes her claim

PolitiCrap

So lets see, close down all Catholic churches in Wisconsin, and sell them, so Julie Lassa can pay for taxpayer funded abortions..... no thanks. 

SNAP stages "protest" Media nods thoughtlessly

Just blew back into town.  Busy weekend but I'll post more on this later(there's video coverage of the "protest" out there too).

Although there is a dire need for a group like SNAP to help victims, SNAP continue to show their true colors; trial lawyers, propagandists, making sure their next paycheck comes easier and easier. It is becoming obvious they don't want any real reform since they cannot profit from it.  I would happily stand corrected but a move like this means one thing, public pressure to extend the statute of limitations in Wisconsin for lawyers to go sue-crazy(the effort lead by Stevens Point Democrat Julie Lassa) .  That means they close our schools, churches and hospitals to be handsomely compensated.  How could this circus possibly have any other purpose? 

Tribune: SNAP rally coverage

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!