Bishops' Schedules: Schedule of Bishop William H. Bullock Thursday, April 25, 2002 10:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Oaklawn Academy, Edgerton 3:00 p.m. -- Preside at Midday Prayer for Vocations, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Saturday, April 27, 2002 4:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Knights of Columbus State Convention, Marriott Hotel, Middleton Sunday, April 28, 2002 11:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Maria Goretti Parish, Madison Wednesday, May 1, 2002 7:30 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, Ss. Anthony and Philip Parish, Highland Schedule of Bishop George O. Wirz Thursday, April 25, 2002 3:00 p.m. -- Attend Midday Prayer for Vocations, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Saturday, April 27, 2002 7:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary Parish, Sun Prairie Sunday, April 28, 2002 10:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cassville, with St. Mary Help of Christians Parish, Glen Haven, at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cassville Wednesday, May 1, 2002 7:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Patrick Parish, Cottage Grove

Many topics, so little time

		The Bishop: A Herald of Faith Bishop William H. Bullock

It is not often, nor for long, that I sit before a blank sheet of paper before I start jotting down notes to prepare the first draft of my weekly column.

This week, however, is one of those times. It's not because there are not enough challenges before us or topics that need to be addressed. It's simply that there are so many that singling one out is difficult.

"God has not abandoned us, and our faith is in His revealed truth, our reliance is on the promises of His Son and the power of the Resurrection. All is based on a foundation of God's Old and New Testament command: 'Love the Lord Your God with your whole heart, mind, soul, spirit and being, above all things, and your neighbor as yourself.'"

Bishop Wirz, 50 years a priest

Do I write about Bishop George Wirz and his 50th anniversary of priestly ordination on June 2, 2002, at St. Raphael Cathedral?

Do I offer words of prayer and clarification on the topic of the sexual abuse of minors by priests, and how the press plays up the cover-up along with admission of our own faults in the whole matter?

Or do I write to reassure our priests and our laity that the tenacity of the Church is always such that, eventually, we will, as God's people, recover from the damage done, and enhance our spiritual lives by living more deeply the call of Christ to personal holiness?

Sexual abuse

It is, as others have said regarding sexual abuse, by a small number of priests - this is indeed the moment for us to acknowledge, now more than ever, the gravity of sexual abuse of minors and the devastating effect it has had on their lives, on the lives of their parents, their families, and the Church. I pray daily for the victims, asking God to heal them, repair them, and restore their trust.

Do I write about April showers bring May flowers, and April snow brings a glow or several other topics such as priest shortages continue, and Nigerian Priests of Owerri Archdiocese build solidarity with the Diocese of Madison?

There are so many topics for consideration that surface all at once, yet a selection must be made. If I don't reassure our good priests of their goodness, I am neglectful of my mission as their Bishop.

If I don't address the sex scandal, I am in denial. If I criticize the media, T.V., radio, and newspaper, I am afraid of facing the truth, and so it goes.

I need also to write about parish mergers, linkages, and clustering as our shortage of priests continues. I do wish to do that one next.

Priest Health Board

I also wish to share with all of you our Priest Health Board, a project that's been underway for four years. It began with a discussion of priests' health issues at Presbyteral Council meetings. We are now ready to present the proposal made by the council and developed by a panel of priests with Monsignor Paul Swain, our Vicar General. It is now ready for publication.

This is a beginning, and when someone asks you this week, "What did the Bishop write about?" you can say, "He really never made up his mind" or "Oh, lots of things, but he never developed any real topic."

As I close this unusual column, I wish to add my pleas for prayer for the Church, our young, elderly, middle aged, and children. God has not abandoned us, and our faith is in His revealed truth, our reliance is on the promises of His Son and the power of the Resurrection. All is based on a foundation of God's Old and New Testament command: "Love the Lord Your God with your whole heart, mind, soul, spirit and being, above all things, and your neighbor as yourself."

Grant us unity

The following prayer is a good one that touches on our needs in these challenging days:

"Renew by the light of the gospel, the Church of the Diocese of Madison. Strengthen the bonds of unity between the faithful and their pastors, that together with John Paul II our pope, William our bishop, and his assistant bishop George, and the whole college of bishops, we your people may stand forth in a world torn by strife and discord as a sign of oneness and peace." (Eucharistic Prayer for Masses for Various Needs and Occasions I)

Official Appointments:

Most Reverend William H. Bullock, Bishop of Madison, wishes to announce the following:

Reverend Monsignor John H. Hebl, in addition to his duties as Pastor, St. Mary Help of Christians Parish, and St. Mary Parish, Palmyra, to be Faithful Friar of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Ave Maria General Assembly #1650, effective April 16, 2002 through March 31, 2003.

Upon notification of Rev. David F. Wright, O.P., Vice Provincial, Province of St. Albert the Great, that Rev. Roman Shemayev, O.P., is no longer in active priestly ministry. All faculties for him have been withdrawn, effective April 8, 2002.

Ms. Sharon Schmeling, Jefferson, as Consultant to the Catholic Charities Board, effective April 22, 2002 until December 31, 2003.

Msgr. Paul J. Swain
Vicar General

Priest Health Board: Diocese of Madison

Purpose

Motivated by fraternal concern for the priests of the Diocese of Madison and in recognition of the stresses and demands placed on priests, the Priest Health Board is established to assist the Bishop in assuring that the health needs of the priests of the Diocese of Madison are adequately monitored, assessed and effectively met. The purpose is both preventative and corrective.

As the number of priests decreases, demands on them increase in a more diverse society. Priests often live alone and must face health issues alone. Stress, emotional problems, substance abuse, workaholism, obesity, chronic fatigue, cardiovascular disease, depression, and anxiety may go undetected and therefore untreated. Without physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual health, priests will have difficulty meeting the heavy demands of their ministry.

Letter to priests Priest Health Board Dear brothers in Christ: When I came among you a novena of years ago, in my remarks at our first Evening Prayer together on June 14, 1993, I said to you that "We need each other, not just because we complement each other's strengths, but also because we are weak. Sickness can strike us all, whether it be physical illness, mental or psychological impairment, or spiritual downfall. Then, we need to be cared for and pastored ourselves, but we also need to know that our people are being taken care of, and especially that any harm which may have come to them is recognized and healed. "That is what a presbytery is for, to take collegial responsibility for the Church and for each other. Sometimes the weakness of one of us requires emergency action or forcefulness; we must try to make such interventions strengthen our solidarity, not weaken it." As many of you know, at my request Monsignor Paul J. Swain, members of the Presbyteral Council, and others have been working to develop a recommendation for a Priest Health Board in the Diocese of Madison, which will help us further our care for one another. Their intense work of the last four years is now complete, and I have accepted the recommendation which is hereby published in the Clergy Bulletin with binding force. What affects the body affects the soul. While the specifics of the Priest Health Board pertain directly to discussion of the health of our priests, a whole new resource will be developed which addresses our spiritual welfare. At that first Evening Prayer a novena ago, I also said that "First, you and I as priests will always need the Church. We, too, must be held, healed, and forgiven." This is as true today as when I first became your Bishop. "Second, we should be widely and wisely read in order" to give full service in the spiritual life to our people and "to enhance our lives as priests." Let me reaffirm those statements now, for myself as much as for you. In our care and concern for one another, let us see that our aim, partially addressed by the Priest Health Board, is for the full physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual health of each of our brothers in the presbytery of the Diocese of Madison. Such can only enhance our service to Christ and to his people. Grace, Mercy, and Peace, Most Reverend William H. Bullock Bishop of Madison

Special concern is for those priests who manifest actual or potential dysfunction, physical or mental. The Board will offer assistance, information, and encouragement as needed on health issues including wellness and prevention, treatment of serious illnesses, intervention, follow-up after care for priests in recovery programs, and the special needs of elderly priests.

Major areas of focus

Health education, disease prevention, addictions, chemical dependency, mental health, health insurance coverage.

Program components

I. Information

Information and educational opportunities for priests about issues of wellness, including nutrition, exercise, stress management, proper personal health care, in cooperation with other diocesan agencies, including the Office for Clergy Development, are to be offered.

Information and educational opportunities for priests and others to learn symptoms of impairment, techniques of early identification and prevention, and resources available for intervention, assessment and/or treatment are to be offered.

Priests who have health concerns about themselves or others may consult the Board for information or guidance.

II. Reporting

Any responsible person concerned that a priest may suffer from health issues or impairment may confidentially contact the Board through the Office of Vicar General, who will refer the report to the Board for review and evaluation. When appropriate, it will be referred to the Bishop of Madison.

Any priest concerned about his own health may consult the Board for a personal evaluation.

III. Intervention

Upon determination of a potential psychological, emotional, or physical health problem, the Board may recommend referral for professional evaluation, treatment, or appropriate intervention, being respectful of the rights of the priest and the protection of parish and parishioners. Any intervention shall be appropriately and professionally undertaken, grounded in genuine concern, and rooted in the hope for effective treatment and recovery.

Structure

I. Members

The Board shall consist of up to seven members appointed by the Bishop for three-year terms, to include clergy and lay persons, capable of evaluating and dealing with a variety of health issues. The Vicar General shall be an ex officio member.

II. Consultants and committees

Consultants may be appointed as necessary to serve as special advisors in fields of expertise such as gerontology, neurology, health education, disease prevention, substance abuse, psychology, psychiatry, and legal concerns. Ad hoc committees including nonboard members may be appointed as needed.

III. Meetings

The Board shall meet at least quarterly, and at the request of the Bishop.

Guiding principles

a. 1993 Sexual Abuse Policy

b. Diocesan Sexual Harassment Policy

c. Confidentiality shall be respected.

d. The well being of the priest and the parishioners he serves, as well as the diocese and the parish/institution he serves shall all be taken into account.

e. Family of the priest shall be consulted and informed as appropriate.

f. Priests shall be encouraged to have on file a durable power of attorney for health care, and to take advantage of health insurance benefits provided through the diocese, including extended care coverage.

Given this 13th day of April, 2002

Most Reverend William H. Bullock
Bishop of Madison

Witnessed

Rev. Msgr. Paul J. Swain
Vicar General