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| Bishop Speaks | ||||
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| February 6, 2003 Edition | ||||
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One of the first declarations I made, as I became the third Bishop of Madison, was: I wish to communicate on a regular basis with the priests and people of the Diocese of Madison.
Going on 10 years
As I now draw close to the 10th anniversary of the announcement of my appointment on April 13, 1993, I can honestly say, keeping you informed on pastoral needs and happenings has been a priority for me. My weekly column in The Catholic Herald has been a primary source of staying in touch with all in the Diocese.
"Some of you have asked: 'When you retire where will you live?' I am glad to get that question because I want to say loud and clear and upfront, my home is Madison. I came among you and you welcomed me. I have prayed with you, gotten to know you, and will live out my years here with you in the Diocese of Madison." |
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On occasion I am asked a question like - "Bishop Bullock, what is new with you regarding your resignation and a new Bishop of Madison?" About one year ago as I approached the mandatory retirement age of 75, I said I would submit my resignation letter to Pope John Paul II on April 13, 2002 . . . and this I did.
Move ahead
or tread water?
I also declared at that same time that in the interim I did not intend to "tread water" but that we as bishop, priests, and people would move forward to address the pastoral needs in the Diocese as outlined in our Diocesan Strategic Plan as well as special needs that surface. In many good and measurable ways we have been able to accomplish some great projects together.
Multicultural Center
The first I wish to mention is our new Catholic Multicultural Center on Beld Street, South Madison. This new building and the increasing need in multiculturalism continue with each passing day.
The special opening in November 2002 touched my heart deeply. We continue to have a great need to fund the building and programs but I am certain God will provide for our new millennium immigrants.
G.I.R.M.
Last fall at our priests' assembly we began implementation phase one of the newly authorized and published General Instruction in the Roman Missal. This instruction announces changes in the way in which Mass is to be celebrated beginning with its implementation date, Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2003.
Bishop Blase Cupich, who holds a Doctorate in Sacred Liturgy and is Bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota, led our discussions and helped us deepen our appreciation of Sacred Liturgy. Present to and most helpful in assessing our need at that assembly was our own Dr. Patrick Gorman, Director of the Office of Worship. He is an excellent teacher and has a good pastoral approach.
Strategic Plan for parishes
We have continued our efforts to implement the Strategic Plan for the Diocese by linking, clustering, and merging parishes. The Office of Planning and the Office of Pastoral Services have been ministering in these areas of development.
We have also modified our Solidarity Program with the Archdiocese of Owerri, Nigeria, focusing on fewer Nigerian priests but more purposefully deepening our understanding of American and Nigerian cultures. I renew my pledge to work for greater solidarity and understanding.
Sexual abuse policies
As a Diocese we are engaged on several levels to implement the Charter and Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons. We have until March 2003 to comply with all requirements, and I assure you we are moving toward that day by day.
Outstanding leadership has come to the Province (the Dioceses of Wisconsin) under the able and straight-forward leadership of Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of Milwaukee, who has addressed the basics required and has provided a financial audit of dollars spent in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on sexual abuse cases. It is helpful to all of us sister dioceses as we formulate and finalize our own policies.
We have not been "treading water" and while we never satisfy everyone with our pace of action, believe me: we work overtime and long hours to attend to many pastoral needs in our time.
I will continue as your Bishop to lead you in the time that is ours together, and I invite your cooperation and collaboration with all our pastoral needs and challenges.
Where I will live
Finally, and some of you have asked: "When you retire, where will you live?" I am glad to get that question because I want to say loud and clear and upfront, my home is Madison. I came among you and you welcomed me. I have prayed with you, gotten to know you, and will live out my years here with you in the Diocese of Madison.
Where will I live? I will live on the campus at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center on the third floor with our other retired priests. It will be a great place for me. I also will have an office in the Pastoral Center, which has already been designated and prepared for me.
Like my predecessor, Bishop William P. O'Connor, I will come each day, check postal and e-mail, and see the many workings of the offices of this great Diocese.
May we continue to work and pray together for our many needs, one of which is my successor as the fourth Bishop of Madison.
Plenty to do
In the meantime, we all have much to do. Our prayers and voices are vitally needed on many fronts - not in the least, the impending war with Iraq, the families of the astronauts of Space Shuttle Columbia, the growing poverty, and our recovery from the scandal of sexual abuse by clergy throughout the U.S.
No time to tread water. In prayer, plan, or action, there is plenty to do. God bless you.
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