Cleanup begins at St. Matthew Church in Allouez after break in arson

A broken window where investigators believe someone
broke in to start a fire at St. Matthew Church. (WBAY photo)

ALLOUEZ, Wis. (WBAY) - Investigators are praising the quick actions of local homeowners reporting information that led to a man they say is responsible for setting fires in a church and damaging two homes.

An 18-year-old man from the Green Bay area has been booked on charges of burglary, arson and criminal damage to property after the string of seemingly random crimes in Allouez just hours apart.

"We have three separate events that at the time we did not know were connected," Brown County Sheriff's Capt. Jody Lemmens said.

At 1:42 a.m., the Green Bay Metro Fire Department was called to a fire alarm at St. Matthew Catholic Church and Father Allouez School, 2575 S. Webster Ave.

continue at WBAY

Mackenzie A. Guillen was arrested early Wednesday morning, about two hours after the Green Bay Metro Fire Department was called to a small fire at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2575 S. Webster Ave.

Man arrested on suspicion of starting Allouez church fire that burned Bible

Green Bay Catholic Charities emergency grant for area flood victims

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay recently received an emergency grant to assist with issues caused by the recent flooding throughout the Diocese. If you or anyone you know needs assistance give us a call at (920) 272-8234 or 1-877-500-3580, ext. 8234) for more information.

Source

Green Bay ex-priest sent to jail for having unapproved contact with children

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - A former Green Bay priest who was convicted of exposing his genitals to a child has been sent to jail for violating probation.

Documents obtained by Action 2 News detail recent allegations against Richard Thomas, 81.

Once of the documents is a letter sent by the Department of Corrections to Judge Timothy A. Hinkfuss. The letter states that Thomas had violated rules of supervision by having unapproved verbal and physical contact with children.

In 2016, Thomas was sentenced to 36 months on supervision after he was found guilty of two counts of Exposing Genitals/Pubic Area/Intimate Parts to a Child. Thomas had exposed himself to a teenager while living at Grellinger Hall, a residence for retired priests.

continue at WBAY

Lourdes Academy in Oshkosh mourns death of former teacher

ALLOUEZ — Members of the Lourdes Academy community in Oshkosh mourned the passing of Andrew Schefelker, 30, who died Feb. 24 in the 131-vehicle crash on Interstate 41 in Neenah. Schefelker served as a long-term substitute teacher at Lourdes Academy last year, teaching middle school science and high school math.

“Andrew came into our school very enthusiastic and ready to learn as a teacher,” David Mikesell, principal of Lourdes Academy, told The Compass in an email. “He connected with our students and did a good job building relationships with him. He gave the school, and more importantly the students, 100 percent of what he could day in and day out.”

continue at The Compass

Requiescat in pace.

Check out this gorgeous church in Chilton WI

I’m with @patrickmadrid at Good Shepherd Parish in Chilton, WI! Having a great time at the women’s conference and look at the beautifully renovated church! @relevantradio pic.twitter.com/vQp2zCXAsj

— The Patrick Madrid Show (@PMadridShow) March 9, 2019

Not to sound punchy but the northeast side of the state has been a challenging place to find good looking churches. This look great!  Website: https://www.goodshepherdchilton.org/

St. John’s Homeless Shelter in Green Bay to become independent nonprofit

ALLOUEZ — St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter and the Diocese of Green Bay have agreed to end their 11-year partnership on July 1, 2019. In a letter dated March 7 and addressed to “friends of St. John’s Homeless Shelter,” diocesan and shelter officials said the decision has been in the works for more than two years.

The letter was signed by James O’Neil, SJEHS Board of Trustees chairman; Fr. John Girotti, SJEHS Board of Directors president; and Alexia Wood, SJEHS executive director.

“Beginning July 1, 2019, St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter, Inc., will become an independent nonprofit and no longer operate as a corporation of the Diocese of Green Bay,” stated the letter. “This transition comes after more than two years of careful planning to ensure St. John’s ministries will continue to thrive and embody the mission of Jesus by caring for those in greatest need in our community.

continue at The Compass

There's been some battling between the diocese and the city of Green Bay over this place.  I'm not sure if this move will alleviate that or improve it.  The article does a really good job of explaining the history of the shelter and is worth a look.

from 2013: "City officials in December cited the homeless shelter for exceeding occupancy limits, initiating a Municipal Court case that could result in fines of up to $500 a day against the diocese."

Diocese of Green Bay to remove Bishop Wycislo's name from cathedral

ALLOUEZ (WLUK) -- A former Green Bay Bishop's name will be removed from a center at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral.

According to a letter from Bishop David Ricken to Cathedral parishioners, The Bishop Wycislo Center will be renamed Cathedral Center.

The center, which sits north of the cathedral, was named after Bishop Aloysius Wycislo in June of 2004. He served as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay from 1968 to 1983.

Ricken cites the reason of removal as part of the diocese's response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis.

continue at Fox11

Also GPPG: Name of bishop who mishandled clergy abuse removed from Green Bay cathedral building

GBPG: He tried speaking out about priest abuse in Catholic church. Now he's shouting about it.

The problem with Jason Jerry is he makes a lousy victim.

Victims are supposed to be subdued, repressed, sorrowful. It helps if they can look up at us with sad eyes, maybe bite their lower lip a little. Obviously, we don’t want them to be beaten down or crushed, but we’re used to thinking of them as tender and vulnerable, and that’s what we need to get our caring, nurturing instincts kicked into high gear.

Jerry, 44, of Howard, is none of that. He’s an angry victim. He’s mouthy. He can be, let's face it, kind of abrasive when he talks about how a priest molested him years ago and got away with it.

“What are you going to do about the Norbertines?” he shouted at Bishop David Ricken at a listening session in September. “And for you to sit there and nod? Your silence is deafening.”

Well, to be fair, it was supposed to be a listening session, and that’s what Ricken was doing.

continue at GBPG 

Men For All Seasons conference in Appleton March 2

Men for All Seasons

A Call to Holiness Conference

St. Pius X Church - Appleton, WI

Saturday, March 2, 2019

Adults ..... $50

Under 21 ..... $20

Priests, Deacons, Seminarians ..... Free

- Featuring -

Bishop David L. Ricken

Greg Botaro

Steve Markel

Dr. Teresa Collett

Register HERE

Hundreds of clergy, pastoral leaders in Green Bay ara learn about childhood trauma

HOWARD, Wis. (WBAY) - Nearly 200 Catholic clergy members and spiritual caregivers attended a presentation Thursday on how to respond to victims of childhood trauma. The workshop was put on by the Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Green Bay.

This comes after jail records show a former Green Bay priest, Richard Thomas, was arrested Tuesday for allegedly violating his probation.

"The reality of sexual abuse in society is a very real one, it happens inside the church, and it happens outside the church,” said Fr. John Girotti from the Diocese of Green Bay. “This is a way for us as Catholics to become aware about the harm that has happened to victims inside the church, but also as a service to the community to help those who have been harmed in any way."

Thomas' was one of the names released by the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay of clergy members with "substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor." The 81-year-old was sentenced to four months in jail and three years on probation after being found guilty in 2016 of exposing his genitals to a child.

continue at WBAY

In releasing names of priests with substantiated allegations, Bishop Ricken offers apology

ALLOUEZ — During a press briefing Jan. 17 to announce the release of 47 names of priests with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, Bishop David Ricken apologized to victims-survivors.

“The release of these names may open up old wounds and create new hurt,” he said in his opening statement. “For this I am profoundly sorry. But I want to recognize the victims-survivors for their strength over the years in coming forward to tell their stories. The hurt they endured at the hands of their perpetrators cannot be undone. I could apologize, but more importantly, I need to show them through action that we are being open and addressing this issue head-on.”

Bishop Ricken also said the priorities that were outlined in the seven “Action Steps to Accountability,” which were published Sept. 7, 2018, in The Compass, still remain.

“The victims-survivors and their families are my greatest concern,” he said. “To all of the victims-survivors and their family members, please know that you will be in my prayers, especially in these coming days.” Bishop Ricken invited abuse victims “who have been suffering in your pain and silence” to come forward and share their story, either with the diocesan Safe Environment Office or with Catholic Charities.

continue at The Compass

Also: Bp. David Ricken letter;  The release of diocesan priests’ names

Investigation finds 47 priests in Green Bay diocese with substantiated abuse allegations

GREEN BAY (WLUK) - The Catholic Diocese of Green Bay on Thursday revealed results of its third-party investigation into its files on priests and deacons. The investigation was focused on finding any incidents of sexual abuse against minors by priests or deacons.

“We have to win back trust, and we're really working hard at that,” said Bishop David Ricken.

The diocese has identified 47 priests and released clergy names of 46 with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor on its website.

“There may be other people out there we don't know about everything we know we're putting in this,” said Ricken at a news conference at Bona Hall on the diocese’s property in Allouez.

All but one of the names were posted to the diocese's website. That one priest is challenging the allegations, so his name was omitted.

The diocese hired Defenbaugh & Associates out of Texas last fall to investigate the files it has maintained on priests and deacons in its 157 parishes. The investigation looked into any credible accusations of sexual misconduct. That independent investigation followed the diocese's own internal review.

continue at Fox11

Community Mass and reception set for new Green Bay hospitals CEO

GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- The public is invited to welcome a newly-appointed Green Bay hospitals president with a Mass.

Brian Charlier took over as CEO of HSHS St. Vincent and St. Mary's Hospitals on Jan. 1.

A Mass will be held in his honor, Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the HSHS St. Vincent Hospital chapel at 5:30 p.m.

Most Reverend David L. Ricken, DD, JCL, Bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay will celebrate the Mass.

continue at Fox11

Parishioner preview new church in Oconto

OCONTO – Hundreds of Holy Trinity parishioners took the opportunity to sign the sanctuary subfloor during tours of the nearly-completed church last month.

Though their names will soon be covered by the finish flooring, it was “just a way to leave their mark on our little piece of history,” said Danielle Perrizo, a member of the church’s finance council.

The crowd – visiting after Mass on Dec. 15 and 16 – was generally impressed by the new church, which has been under construction since spring.

continue at GBPG

St. Anthony relic finds its way to Oconto Falls parish

OCONTO FALLS – A fragment of St. Anthony is now in the care of a namesake parish.

The gift of a tiny bit of bone from the revered 13th century saint, inside a glass case at the center of a brass cross, was announced at Mass at St. Anthony on Dec. 9.

“It’s an honor to have a piece of who we're named after, and a strong reminder of who we’re named after — St. Anthony,” said St. Anthony School Principal Alex Wolf.

Fr. Joel Sember said the saint, who died nearly 800 years ago, is one of the patron saints of Italy. He was known for his preaching and miracles, he added, though today he is also invoked in prayer by those searching for misplaced belonging.

“I find it interesting that St. Anthony found us a relic,” Sember said.

continue at GBPG

Photos from Guadalupe feast day in Green Bay

via Flickr: The Compass News

"Think Outside the Pill" event in Green Bay 26-Jan

Details

"Bishop Morneau’s actions exemplify those that some of you must take to restore trust and allow the deep wounds caused by the current crisis to heal."

"Bishop Morneau’s actions exemplify those that some of you must take to restore trust and allow the deep wounds caused by the current crisis to heal." - Dr. Francesco Cesareo

Well spotted, Phil. https://t.co/APNbixDD9H

— Michael Warren Davis (@MichaelWTDavis) November 14, 2018

This comment at the USCCB annual meeting is in regards to: Bishop Robert Morneau, retired from Green Bay Diocese, withdraws from public ministry due to failure to report abuse

Diocese of Green Bay hires independent investigative firm to review clergy files

The Diocese of Green Bay announced today it has hired independent investigative firm Defenbaugh & Associates, Inc. from Kaufman, Texas, to conduct an outside review of the files of all Priests and Deacons who have served in the diocese.

This announcement comes after Bishop Robert Morneau requested to withdraw from all public ministry saying he regrets not reporting abuse of a minor by a priest in 1979.

When completed, the Diocese of Green Bay says the findings will be reported to the Diocesan Independent Review Board and the Chancellor.

continue at NBC26

Bishop Robert Morneau, retired from Green Bay Diocese, withdraws from public ministry due to failure to report abuse

A retired Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay has withdrawn from public ministry, saying he regrets his failure to report the abuse of a minor by a priest.

Diocese newspaper "The Compass" printed a letter from Bishop Robert Morneau to current Bishop David Ricken. Morneau says, "I failed to report to local authorities an incident of abuse of a minor by a priest in 1979 and, as a result, this priest was able to abuse again several years later."

Morneau continued, "I intend to spend my time in prayer for all victims and survivors of sexual abuse and I will do corporal works of mercy in reparation for what I failed to do."

"The Compass" reports Morneau is referencing the case of former priest David Boyea. Boyea was convicted of first degree sexual assault of a child in 1985.

Boyea was ordained in 1973. Morneau was bishop in 1979.

"Looking back, I should have handled this situation differently than I did at the time. At the time, I was asked by the family of the victim to arrange an apology from the offending priest, which I did. I felt at the time I had done what was asked of me by helping the parties to reconcile," Morneau said.

continue at WSAW

Update:

The Compass: Bishop Morneau requests withdrawal from public ministry

Bishop Robert Morneau, retired auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay, has requested and has been granted a withdrawal from all public ministry. In a letter dated Sept. 14 and addressed to Bishop David Ricken, Bishop Morneau stated that he failed to report to authorities an incident of priest sexual abuse of a minor in 1979.

“As a result,” wrote Bishop Morneau, “this priest was able to abuse again several years later. … I intend to spend my time in prayer for all victims and survivors of sexual abuse and I will do corporal works of mercy in reparation for what I failed to do.”

In a separate letter, Bishop Ricken acknowledged the request.

• Letter by Bishop Robert Morneau
• Letter by Bishop David Ricken