Bishops' Schedules: Schedule of Bishop William H. Bullock Sunday, August 4, 2002 3:00 p.m. -- Concelebrate at 25th Anniversary of Episcopal Ordination, Most Reverend John J. Paul, Bishop Emeritus of La Crosse, Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman, La Crosse Saturday, August 10, 2002 7:30 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Installation of Reverend David W. Timmerman as Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Kieler, linked with Saint Joseph Parish, Sinsinawa, at Immaculate Conception Parish, Kieler Sunday, August 11, 2002 10:30 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Installation of Reverend Basil C. Osuigwe as Administrator of St. Pius X Parish, Cambridge Tuesday, August 13, 2002 5:00 p.m. -- Preside at Evening Prayer, Annual Social Ministry Intern Dinner, St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison Thursday, August 15, 2002 12:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison Schedule of Bishop George O. Wirz Sunday, August 4, 2002 3:00 p.m. -- Concelebrate at 25th Anniversary of Episcopal Ordination, Most Reverend John J. Paul, Bishop Emeritus of La Crosse, Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman, La Crosse Thursday, August 15, 2002 5:30 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sixth Anniversary of the Perpetual Adoration Chapel, St. Mary Parish, Fennimore

Light, salt, and peace
in Toronto

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

A simple yet profound message of God's love for our youth poured forth from Pope John Paul II in his talks to the youth of the world.

He did it all amid rain and heat, sun and summer storms. Our youth indeed stood tall in making their testimonies of belief and of conversion to each other and before the whole world on T.V. It was awesome.

"Pope John Paul II's major appeal was to ask the young to win the world back to Christ by being 'peacemakers.'"

Our 120 young pilgrims from the Diocese of Madison, led by Ben Weisse, our Director of Youth Ministry, were special contributors to the great success of these days.

Bishop Wirz and I concelebrated Mass with just our pilgrims at St. John Fisher Church in Toronto on Wed-nesday evening, June 24, and concelebrated Mass at St. Michael Cathedral in Toronto on the other days.

It was estimated that over 800,000 participated in the World Youth Day closing Mass on Sunday, July 28. At several of the other sessions, such as Evening Prayer or Stations of the Cross through the city of Toronto, several hundred thousand, up to half a million, shared in these devotional services and Catechetical Sessions.

While such days were very wearing on me at my age of 75, the genuine faith of our young people, their behavior and response in reverence to God's word and to the message of Pope John Paul II has filled me with new hope for the Church.

"Be light, the light of Christ to those around you," shouted Pope John Paul II. "Be salt to those around you, and flavor and zest to those who live in a culture of death. Season the lives of others with Christ and his love, for you are the salt of the earth. It is Christ who tells you this . . . believe it and live it," said our Holy Father.

Pope John Paul II's major appeal was to ask the young to win the world back to Christ by being "peacemakers." In that constant flow of languages in English, French, Spanish, Polish, and German so typical of the many language gifts of Pope John Paul II, he poured out a strong and clear message that reached our young people.

Others who attended World Youth Day from here will offer their own testimony of what transpired in God's loving ways. I hope they will do so often among people their own age. They gain courage from these gatherings.

Bishop Wirz and I express our deep appreciation to all from our Diocese who participated, to our priests and other chaperones who stayed with the pilgrims through the rain, wind, storms, and sunshine. A word of thanks also to those who prayed for us on pilgrimage, to our pastors and parishes and to others who helped to make it possible for our young members of the Diocese of Madison to attend.

May the goodness of World Youth Day, Toronto 2002, live on and give new life, love, hope, and peace to the world and in special ways here in our Diocese of Madison.

Bishop announces Review Board
on Sexual Abuse

By Bishop William H. Bullock
FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

MADISON -- The decisions of the U.S. Bishops made at our spring meeting, June 13-15, resulted in two major documents that are to be implemented in every diocese in the U.S.

The first was called the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the second was called the Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests, Deacons, or Other Church Personnel. As a result we have taken further steps in the Diocese by creating a "Review Board on Sexual Abuse."

In accord with the Norms, the composition of the board is comprised mostly of lay men and women who are not in the employ of the Diocese. One member is to be a priest, one member is to have particular expertise in the treatment of sexual abuse of minors, and another is to have some experience in criminal investigation and police work. The board will develop an appropriate methodology for implementing the Charter and the Norms for the Diocese of Madison.

Board in place

Our board is now in place. It consists of Justice Roland B. Day (chair), Mrs. Colleen O'Brien, Mr. Joseph Tisserand, Doctor Peter Lake, and Reverend Monsignor James Gunn. Membership on the committee is for a period of five years.

The declared purpose and function of this board is to review our diocesan sexual abuse policy and to examine any cases of sexual abuse of children or minors by priests, deacons, and Church personnel in the Diocese of Madison. And while it is important that the board examine every case to ensure that no false accusation results in the removal of any priest from his ministry, I wish to reiterate that no priest proven to have sexually abused a minor will be in priestly ministry in the Diocese of Madison in keeping with the decisions of the U.S. Bishops in their Charter and Norms.

The board may consult several other resource persons who can provide assistance to the board on any particular issue where additional expertise is needed. It is my desire that the work of the board be thorough and handled as quickly as possible, to assure to victims of sexual abuse, and any priest accused of sexual abuse of minors, justice and assistance.

Sexual abuse cases

I agree with Bishop Robert Banks of Green Bay who has said recently, "My best understanding of the matter is that we bishops came to the conclusion that our Church in the United States - people, priests, and bishops - feels that it must be served by a priesthood that does not include in its ministry priests who have ever abused a minor.

"The sexual abuse of a minor - no matter how long ago it happened, or even if it has been forgiven and treatment received - is now viewed by our people and society at large as making a person unacceptable for work with children, and also for any public priestly ministry and the leadership it signifies."

Adds Bishop Banks, "The actions now being taken by bishops in regard to priests who abused a minor, even once many years ago, are not judgments concerning a priest's present goodness or lack thereof. In my opinion, these actions apply a new policy that recognizes that the sexual abuse of a minor is a crime which must result - in every instance - in a judgment that the priest should not be given any public priestly ministry."

In the Diocese of Madison, the board is empowered to be independent of the Bishop in making its recommendations or course of action to be taken on revisions of our existing policy and to examine allegations that come to our attention.

Days of reparation

On August 14 and 15, the U.S. Bishops will fast and make reparation. In addition to the holy day of the Assumption of Mary on Aug. 15, I ask Catholics in the Diocese of Madison to attend Mass and prayer services on Aug. 14 in reparation for the sexual abuse scandal. All those who can are asked to fast and do penance on those days. I also ask that we hold the members of our board, as well as any victims of sexual abuse, in our prayers.

(A prayer service for healing will be sent to parishes in the Diocese of Madison. Parishes are also encouraged to include special petitions in the Prayer of the Faithful at Masses.)

Official Appointments:

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

Rev. Msgr. James J. Uppena, as Dean, Rock-Green Deanery, for a period of three years beginning June 12, 2002, until June 30, 2005.

Deacon William Stack, as Chaplain, Diocesan Council of Madison, St. Vincent de Paul Society, beginning August 1, 2002, until June 30, 2005.

Mrs. Geri Nehls, St. Bernard Parish, Madison, to the Diocesan RCIA Committee for a term of three years beginning August 1, 2002, until June 30, 2005.

Mrs. Jacky Miller, Holy Rosary Parish, Darlington, to the Diocesan RCIA Committee for a term of three years beginning August 1, 2002, until June 30, 2005.

Mr. Steve Johnson, St. Olaf Parish, De Forest, to the Diocesan RCIA Committee for a term of three years beginning August 1, 2002, until June 30, 2005.

Mr. David Hendrickson, St. Dennis Parish, Madison, to the Diocesan RCIA Committee for a term of three years beginning August 1, 2002, until June 30, 2005.

Msgr. Paul J. Swain
Vicar General