A snapshot of the diocese:
Much for which to thank God

		Notes from the  Vicar General  Msgr. Paul J. Swain

Each year we submit to the Holy See statistics on the make-up of the local church of Madison.

Such statistics are always out of date by the time they are collected, yet they provide an interesting snapshot of who we are and what work is done in Christ's name.

The Diocese of Madison includes the counties of Columbia, Dane, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Jefferson, Iowa, Lafayette, Marquette, Rock, and Sauk. Last year the total population in these counties was estimated by the State of Wisconsin to be 938,308. The Catholic population increased over 1,700, to approximately 268,123, or about 29 percent of the total population.

The number of parishes was reduced to 135, with the creation of All Saints Parish in Berlin resulting from the merger of St. Joseph, St. Michael, and St. Stanislaus parishes. It was heart-warming to share the Eucharist at which the Catholics of Berlin united in looking to the future while celebrating the legacy of those who came before.

Parishes, clergy, religious

With three ordinations and five deaths, the number of diocesan priests stood at 153. Of that number 48 are retired, on leave, or serving outside the diocese. In addition, seven priests from the Archdiocese of Owerri served in our diocese. Fourteen priests from religious orders minister here, representing the Dominicans, Capuchin Franciscans, Legionaires of Christ, and Camillian Fathers.

There are two permanent deacons. Next year, God willing, over 20 will join their ranks in this ministry of service.

Women religious numbered 315, representing Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa; Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls; Franciscan Sisters of Mary; Sisters of St. Benedict; Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary; Auxiliaries of the Blessed Sacrament; Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady; Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi; Sisters of Charity of Our Lady, Mother of the Church; Sisters of Divine Savior; Cistercian Nuns; Poor Sisters of Nazareth; Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes; School Sisters of Notre Dame; and the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus from Nigeria [see correction in March 13, 2003 edition].

Last year there were 3,405 baptisms, of which 3,275 were under the age of seven, a slight increase from the previous year. Bishop Bullock and Bishop Wirz, along with those priests delegated the privilege at the Easter Vigil, sealed with holy oil 2,575 persons, mostly young men and women in high school, in the sacrament of Confirmation.

Sharing in the Holy Eucharist for the first time is a powerful experience; 3,007, mostly children, received their first communion last year.

Sacraments, education, healthcare

The number of marriages in our parishes declined from the previous year's total of 1,159, to 1,027; 648 were between Catholics and 379 were mixed religion marriages.

At the time these statistics were collected, there were 40 kindergarten and pre-school programs helping 1,256 children; 45 elementary schools were providing sound education with an emphasis on values for some 5,828 children. If it costs an average of $6,000 to educate a student in the public schools, a figure that varies, then taxpayers are saved nearly $35 million dollars by these elementary Catholic schools programs.

The only high school in the diocese is Edgewood with 613 students. The only college also is Edgewood with an enrollment of 2,258 students. In addition, parishes provide well-grounded religious education to 33,462 youth who attend public schools.

There are four Catholic hospitals, St. Marys Hospital Medical Center, Madison; St. Clare Hospital and Health Services, Baraboo; Divine Savior, Portage; and The Monroe Clinic in Monroe. Together they provided quality health care consistent with Catholic teachings to some 353,494 patients.

Five Catholic facilities serving the elderly helped 967 live their twilight years with dignity. They include St. Clare Meadow Care Center, Baraboo; St. Elizabeth Home, Janesville; St. Marys Care Center, Madison; Divine Savior, Portage; and Nazareth House Nursing Home, Stoughton.

Statistics, while interesting, cannot convey the dedication, faith, and enthusiasm that so many bring to their professional and volunteer ministries. The heart of the Church is in the parishes and among the people.

May we thank God for all that is accomplished by so many to further the Kingdom of God in the Diocese of Madison.

Victims: Need time to bring charges

		Eye on the  Capitol  John Huebscher

A recent column discussed a legislative proposal to add clergy to the list of mandatory reporters under Wisconsin's laws governing child abuse and neglect.

This column addresses the statute of limitations for criminal and civil actions against perpetrators of such abuse.

Statute of limitations

Statutes of limitations provide that a criminal prosecution or civil lawsuit must occur within a specified time period after the crime is committed or the injury caused. These time limits exist to insure that prosecution of criminals and civil litigation occur in a timely way to improve the chances that justice is done.

The crime of murder has no such limitation; thus a person may be charged and tried for murder at any time, even if decades have passed since the crime. Certain crimes against children may be prosecuted up until the victim reaches the age of 26 or 31, depending upon the seriousness of the offense. Most other felonies must be prosecuted within six years of the offense.

Because the burden of proof in civil trials is lower than in criminal cases, the statute of limitations for most civil offenses is shorter, usually two or three years from the time the injured party becomes aware of the injury.

However, as in criminal cases, the statute runs a bit longer when the victim is a child. In Wisconsin, a child who is injured may bring a lawsuit up until three years after becoming an adult, that is, prior to his or her 21st birthday.

Extending time limits

Legislators and others want to extend these limitations for crimes and civil suits related to sexual assault of children. There is discussion of allowing criminal prosecution of child abusers up until the victim turns 35 years of age.

As for civil lawsuits, some want to allow children who suffered abuse as a minor to bring a lawsuit up to age 26, thus giving such children five additional years to hold the person or persons who injured them accountable. Still others want to permit lawsuits up to five years after the victim discovers the fact of his or her injury even if it occurs decades after the incident.

There is good reason to give victims of abuse more time to come forward. Even though they may know they were abused, talking about it can be traumatic. This is especially true for teenagers who are self-conscious about their sexuality even when they don't suffer abuse.

As society gleans a better understanding of these issues, there is growing recognition that the current statute of limitations for civil suits by child victims may need to extend beyond three years after reaching adulthood. Thus the Wisconsin Catholic Conference supports raising the limit for such suits until the victim reaches 26 years of age.

Striking a balance

At the same time, any statute of limitations must maintain a balance between the rights of accusers and the accused.

Finding the truth becomes more difficult as time passes. Key physical evidence can be lost and personal recollections fade. Sometimes the accused or key witnesses are dead. For these reasons, the WCC opposes the open-ended approach of allowing suits for five years after an injury is discovered, regardless of the age of the victim at the time of discovery.

Striking a balance that offers those who have been hurt an opportunity to seek justice and protecting innocent parties from accusations that are hard to disprove will be a difficult task. We can be hopeful that people of good will find a way to strike that balance.

John Huebscher is executive director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference.