Article removed: Because of a licensing agreement with Catholic News Service, The Catholic Herald may archive CNS news stories for only 30 days. A CNS article has been removed from this site: Vatican calls for joint commission to revise U.S. bishops' sex abuse norms. A related story was published in the Oct. 24, 2002 print version of The Catholic Herald.

	This is the "passport" issued to then Fr. George O. Wirz to admit him to the first session of the Second Vatican Council in 1962.

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Bishop George O. Wirz says one of his "heroes" continues to be Blessed John XXIII.

Bishop George O. Wirz, auxiliary bishop of Madison, attended the Second Vatican Council 40 years ago.

As Pope John XXIII, he called Catholic bishops of the world to attend the historic Second Vatican Council. It opened on Oct. 11, 1962.

Wirz was privileged to attend the council's first session, accompanying the late Bishop William P. O'Connor of Madison. (Wirz believes he is one of only three American bishops in active ministry who participated in the council; the others are Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore and Bishop John Cummins of Oakland, Calif.)

"I'm inspired always by his (the Holy Father's) three opening words at the very beginning of the Second Vatican Council, 'Gaudet mater ecclesia' or 'Mother Church rejoices,'" recalled Wirz. "As we go through the following decades and centuries, I believe his words will prove more than prophetic."   Full Story ...

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- At a Mass at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center on Oct. 13, Bishop William H. Bullock conferred the ministry of reader on 21 men who are candidates in the Diocese of Madison's permanent diaconate program.

The conferral of the ministry of reader is a required step toward becoming a deacon. The next steps are ministry of accolyte and then order of deacon.

After the Gospel reading, the 21 deacon candidates were called forward and made a sign of reverence to the bishop.

As part of his homily, Bullock read the church's instruction on the celebration of the ministry of reader. (See Bullock's column on Bishop Speaks page.)   Full Story ...