Bishops' Schedules: Schedule of Bishop Robert C. Morlino Thursday, February 19, 2004 7:00 p.m. -- Preside at Evening Prayer, St. Thérèse of Lisieux Lecture Series, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Saturday, February 21, 2004 5:30 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. John the Baptist Parish, Jefferson, with St. Lawrence Parish, Jefferson, at St. John the Baptist Parish, Jefferson Sunday, February 22, 2004 10:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison 1:15 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Middle School Youth Rally, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Schedule of Bishop Emeritus George O. Wirz Thursday, February 19, 2004 7:00 p.m. -- Attend St. Thérèse of Lisieux Lecture Series, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Saturday, February 21, 2004 5:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Monona Sunday, February 22, 2004 11:30 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, Holy Ghost Parish, Dickeyville

Lent: A time for facing truth of sin, death, and hope

		Under the Gospel Book + Bishop Robert C. Morlino

Dear Friends,

Within a short time the liturgy of Ash Wednesday will be upon us, and so it is certainly not too early to turn our thoughts to Lent and its deepest meaning. That meaning is best revealed to us through the Lenten liturgies associated with Ash Wednesday. Lent is a time above all of truth, the truth about sin, the truth about death, and the truth about hope.

A time to discover truth about sin

The Scriptures tell us at the beginning of Lent that Jesus, the one who did not know sin became sin so that in Him we might become the holiness of God. We could only become the holiness of God in Christ through the outpouring of the life of Christ within us we call grace. The precondition for grace is sin. Were it not for sin there would be no reason for Christ to make us holy.

"The truth of hope requires of us that we deal with the truth of sin and the truth of death, however, we are called to embody that truth in our life. That is precisely what the discipline of Lent is meant to be for each one of us: facing the truth of sin, the truth of death, and above all the truth of hope."

Our need for Christ and for salvation in Him depends very much on our awareness and acknowledgement of sin. In our country and in our culture we have become desensitized to sin, frequently speaking of it as being "only human." And yet to be human means to be like Christ - it doesn't mean to sin.

Lent is a time for the truth about sin to hit us and so it is the time above every other time for a worthy celebration of the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation. This along with more frequent attendance at Mass, daily attendance where possible, should be the very foundation of any other Lenten observance in which we might engage. Lent is a time for us to face the truth about sin and to deal with it.

Facing the truth about death

Lent is a time for us to face the truth about death - "Remember you are dust and unto dust you shall return." Nothing in this world is final. Material goods, money, power, pleasure are all conquered by death; they will pass away. But sadness and mourning and failure, disappointment, tragedy, illness, death itself will also pass away.

None of this world's joys and none of this world's sadness can ever be final. Knowing that should change the way we live. I cannot cling to what death will eventually deprive me of in any event. So why cling to so many things? Lent is a time for us to deal with the truth about death.

Recognizing the truth about hope

And finally Lent is a time for us to face up to the truth about hope. Our Lenten Preface for the Mass leads us to pray, "Lord you teach us to spend each day in this passing world with our heart set on the world to come that has no end." The truths that sin must yield to grace and death itself to eternal life lead us to the truth of hope.

The truth of hope pulls together the other threads of Lent, which if not properly understood, can seem negative. Turning from sin allows grace to abound in the repentant heart. Death is nothing more than the place where eternal life in Christ triumphs and is revealed as victorious. If there were no sin there could be no hope for grace, and if there were no death there could be no hope for life in Christ. Our hope for heaven knits together these other threads of Lent. The truth of hope blossoms from the truth of sin and the truth of death.

Lent directs our attention to heaven

And so there is nothing "negative" about Lent. Everything about Lent directs our attention to heaven. Everything about Lent directs our attention to hope. The truth of hope requires of us that we deal with the truth of sin and the truth of death, however we are called to embody that truth in our life. That is precisely what the discipline of Lent is meant to be for each one of us: facing the truth of sin, the truth of death, and above all the truth of hope.

In prayer, in the Sacrament of Penance, in spiritual direction, in daily Mass, let us open ourselves to the Lord so that He can reveal to us this year's Lenten recipe not particularly for macaroni and cheese, not particularly for the Friday fish fry, but above all for living hope today and tomorrow and always.

Thank you for reading this. May you and yours have a truly blessed and holy Lent! Praised be Jesus Christ!

Bishop's statement to Baraboo parish

Following is the statement of Bishop Robert C. Morlino to St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo, February 14-15, 2004:

Ever since an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor was lodged against Father Gerald Vosen you, the parishioners of St. Joseph Parish, have supported him in prayer, in word, and in action. Your love for him and his for you is a beautiful reminder of the love Christ has for his people. What I am about to report should in no way diminish that love or the wonderful pastoral ministry Father Vosen has shared with you.

	Related article ... from Feb. 12, 2004 edition: • Breaking News: Bishop places priest on administrative leave

The process of investigation of allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by clergy, under the procedures established by the Bishops of the United States and approved by the Holy See, requires careful review in order to protect the alleged victims and accused priests. After due investigation and deliberation I can report to you these facts. Contrary to the understanding of many, a coincidence of allegations from several sources against Father Vosen concerning three victims was made to the diocesan Sexual Abuse Assistance Coordinator. Father Vosen has been informed of them and has denied them all. In part the time it took to investigate was in response to some of the issues of fact that Father Vosen raised.

The Sexual Abuse Review Board has considered these allegations and has recommended to me that the allegations relating to at least one of the alleged victims are credible enough to trigger the formal implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and Essential Norms. After deliberating in person with them, I have accepted this unanimous conclusion of the Board. This decision should in no way be construed as a judgement of guilt concerning the allegation. But rather it is intended to protect the rights and reputations of all involved.

I met with Father Vosen on Friday (Feb. 13) and informed him that I must place him on administration leave effective immediately and refer the case to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican as required. The Diocese of Madison will provide Father Vosen's salary and benefits.

Your new Administrator will be Father Larry Bakke, currently chaplain at University Hospitals in Madison, and formerly pastor of St. Albert Parish in Sun Prairie and long time director of Camp Gray. He is a good and caring priest and will serve you well. He will be in residence beginning March 12 or thereabouts.

I recognize that the departure of Father Vosen under these circumstances is painful for you. I wish to be present to you as both brother and bishop. Therefore I will come to St. Joseph Parish on Ash Wednesday to spend a day of prayer and healing with you. This will include two Masses with the distribution of ashes, and the opportunity for discussion and prayer.

As we all begin to move forward, please continue to pray for Father Vosen, for St. Joseph Parish, and for me and the Diocese of Madison.