By Doug Erickson
Wisconsin State Journal
May 3, 2009
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/449666
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| The Madison Catholic Diocese has barred Ruth Kolpack from any paid or volunteer leadership position at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Beloit. |
A Beloit pastoral associate fired by Bishop Robert Morlino will not be getting her job back, according to the Madison Catholic Diocese.
In a statement, the diocese said Morlino’s position remains unchanged since the March 12 firing of Ruth Kolpack. Morlino’s decision has been conveyed to her parish, St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, the statement said.
In a new development, the diocese said Kolpack will be barred from all leadership roles in the parish, paid or volunteer. However, she still can sing in the choir, diocesan spokesman Brent King said Sunday. A rumor circulating at the parish suggested Kolpack could not participate in the choir.
Kolpack’s supporters held a rally Sunday outside St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Madison — the diocese’s cathedral parish and Morlino’s residence — to protest her firing and the latest restrictions.
Kolpack had been employed at St. Thomas in Beloit for 26 years. Morlino has not said explicitly why she was fired, but the diocese has strongly suggested that she opposed church doctrine in her official role as a Catholic teacher.
Kolpack has said that while some of her views conflict with the church — she supports gay marriage and female ordination — she did not express those views while teaching. She said she was fired after a meeting in which Morlino asked her to denounce her college thesis and she declined.
In the thesis, Kolpack harshly criticizes the church on issues such as ordination. The diocese later said that a college thesis, by itself, would not be a reason to fire someone.
Kolpack’s firing triggered an April 3 meeting with Morlino at St. Thomas, where an overflow crowd of about 350 people gave Kolpack a standing ovation when she entered the sanctuary. Supporters spoke at length about her contributions.
At Sunday morning’s protest in Madison, about 60 people carried signs saying "Who Would Jesus Fire?" and "We Stand With Ruth." Tom Lang, a member of the parish council at St. Thomas, said that by limiting Kolpack’s volunteer efforts, Morlino will "destroy" the parish.
"It’s just one vindictive thing after another with him," Lang said.
Morlino was celebrating Mass in Prairie du Sac on Sunday. Kolpack’s supporters said they knew this but wanted St. Patrick’s members to hear their concerns. Some parishioners leaving the church showed support for Kolpack but others strongly backed Morlino.
"I don’t think anyone — them or us — has the full facts like the bishop does. I trust his judgment," said Tom Reitz.
Tony Cina likened the situation to someone in a Democratic Party leadership role voting for Republican presidential candidate John McCain.
"They would kindly be asked to step down," he said. "She doesn’t support the teachings of the church."
Kolpack, who attended the rally, said she will continue to worship at St. Thomas. "I don’t need to leave. I’ve done nothing wrong."
Contact: 608-252-6122 or derickson@madison.com
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