MILWAUKEE (WI)
SNAP Wisconsin
Ten years after resigning in disgrace, Archdiocese still fighting to keep Weakland’s secrets
Thursday marks a decade since the former Archbishop’s half a million dollar hush money payout was revealed, catapulting the Milwaukee Archdiocese into a decade of crisis
Federal Judge Kelley now indicating she is ready to release to the public key portions of Weakland’s recent testimony
But new motion in federal bankruptcy court by church lawyers seeks again to keep testimony sealed
Testimony likely includes never before known details of Weakland’s 1998 meetings with Vatican officials and Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict, about abusive priests, including serial predator of deaf children, Fr. Lawrence Murphy
Victims, in marking anniversary, will renew efforts to rename the Cathedral’s “Weakland Center” and remove the “Weakland Shrine” from the Cathedral altar
WHO
Victim/survivors of childhood sexual violence by clergy of the Milwaukee archdiocese, including leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org/SNAPwisconsin.com) will hold a sidewalk press conference in front of the “Archbishop Weakland Center” of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist marking the tenth anniversary of Weakland’s resignation and discuss:
–progress and setbacks made in resolving the sex abuse crisis for victims and the church over the past decade;
–recent developments in the archdiocesan bankruptcy, including new efforts by the current Milwaukee Archbishop, Jerome Listecki, to keep Weakland’s recent testimony from public release, including what are likely the first questions posed under oath of meetings between Weakland and high level Vatican officials, including Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI about sex abuse cases in Milwaukee;
–this week’s landmark decision by an Appleton jury to rule a Wisconsin diocese committed fraud in concealing sex offender clerics and what that decision might mean for the 570 victim/survivors who have filed claims; and
–once again call on Archbishop Jerome Listecki to change the name of the Cathedral’s central complex which is designated in honor of Weakland, as well as remove a large bronze relief, commissioned by Weakland, which depicts him as shepherd and protector of children and serves as a pedestal for one of the altar’s inside the Cathedral church.
WHEN
Thursday, May 24, 1:30 p.m.
WHERE
831 N. Van Buren Street, in front of the sign for the “Archbishop Weakland Center” located on the East side of the St. John the Evangelist Cathedral Complex
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