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  Protesters Picket Event
Group Accuses Retired Bishop of Misconduct

By Jill Jedlowski jjedlowski@suburbanchicagonews.com
The Herald News
March 20, 2002

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/
focus/churchabuse/032002protest.htm

It was all smiles and laughter inside the Cathedral of St. Raymond as James E. Fitzgerald was ordained auxiliary bishop. But outside, a small group protested the ceremony.

Stephen Brady, president of Petersburg-based Roman Catholic Faithful Inc., and a handful of others picketed near the church before the afternoon Mass began.

Opponents' signs accused one of the ceremony's co-consecrators, retired Bishop Daniel Ryan of Springfield, of sexual misconduct. They cited a civil suit filed a couple of years ago as their basis.

"It's just a disgrace that he's here," Brady said. "It's such a travesty with ... Cardinal (Francis E. George) here."

No one officiating commented directly on the protest.

Ryan became a Joliet diocesan auxiliary bishop in August 1981. Three years later, at age 53, he became a bishop downstate, where he led the Springfield Roman Catholic Diocese.

 
 

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