Bishop Donald Hying joins the bishops of Wisconsin in decrying Planned Parenthood’s plan to resume abortions, after a Dane County judge’s decision to allow a suit, challenging Wisconsin’s abortion laws, to continue in early July.
Category: Bishop Morlino’s Letters
Bishop Robert C. Morlino’s letter to the faithful regarding the ongoing sexual abuse crisis in the Church
August 18, 2018
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ of the Diocese of Madison,
The past weeks have brought a great deal of scandal, justified anger, and a call for answers and action by many faithful Catholics here in the U.S. and overseas, directed at the Church hierarchy regarding sexual sins by bishops, priests, and even cardinals. Still more anger is rightly directed at those who have been complicit in keeping some of these serious sins from coming to light.
For my part — and I know I am not alone — I am tired of this. I am tired of people being hurt, gravely hurt! I am tired of the obfuscation of truth. I am tired of sin. And, as one who has tried — despite my many imperfections — to lay down my life for Christ and His Church, I am tired of the regular violation of sacred duties by those entrusted with immense responsibility from the Lord for the care of His people.
The stories being brought into light and displayed in gruesome detail with regard to some priests, religious, and now even those in places of highest leadership, are sickening. Hearing even one of these stories is, quite literally, enough to make someone sick. But my own sickness at the stories is quickly put into perspective when I recall the fact that many individuals have lived through them for years. For them, these are not stories, they are indeed realities. To them I turn and say, again, I am sorry for what you have suffered and what you continue to suffer in your mind and in your heart.
Bishop Morlino releases statement on immigration
The following is a statement of Bishop Robert Morlino with regard to the U.S. Immigration debate, as of June 25, 2018:
1) I know of no one who, in his or her heart, favors separating children from parents, and the Church has consistently spoken out against every measure that would do so. Similar problematic immigration elements have been present in U.S. policy for at least the last four administrations, and the U.S. bishops have spoken clearly on the need for comprehensive immigration reform. The Church does not play politics with children, parents, and the reasonable sovereignty of the family, and we find the political practice, past and present, intolerable;Catholic Charities Sunday
As Bishop of Madison, I am pleased to designate Sunday, October 15, [2017], as Catholic Charities Sunday in the Diocese of Madison.
Catholic Charities Sunday
Dear Friends in […]
On the Year of Mercy
Bishop’s Letter
“I desire that the year to come will be steeped in mercy, so that we can go out to every man and woman, bringing the goodness and tenderness of God! May the balm of mercy reach everyone, both believers and those far away, as a sign that the Kingdom of God is already present in our midst!” — Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus, 5
“We serve to ensure that all individuals throughout the 11-county diocese are graciously invited every day to meet the person of Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, face to face and be changed by Him.” – Mission Statement of the Diocese of Madison
To the faithful of the Diocese of Madison,
In calling for an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has issued a call meant not only to urge a return to the Almighty, but also to reinvigorate and inspire those of us who try to live lives as followers of Jesus Christ. In fact, the Holy Father has also unintentionally, but not surprisingly, endorsed our own diocesan “mission.”
The Holy Father begins his Bull of Indiction, Misericordiae Vultus, with the following words: “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy. These words might well sum up the mystery of the Christian faith.” In carrying out our diocesan mission of “inviting others to meet the person of Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, face to face, and be changed by Him,” we are inviting them to meet the face of the Father’s mercy — to meet mercy incarnate. This invitation is one which is tied up in a challenging realization with regard to who God is and who “I” am, and it should be a profound and even startling invitation for each woman and man who lives in, and grapples with, a world that is nearly completely lacking in mercy.
Our world and our culture offer a great deal of lip-service to certain notions of tolerance and license, but these notions are grounded in a premise that truth is what you make it, and is subject to change, if public opinion is swayed to agree on the matter. Absent a grounding in the Truth and a foundation in humanity’s authentic encounter with mercy itself, all attempts at justice and mercy are mere shadows, structures built on sand. To experience mercy and to grant mercy, individuals and cultures must be anchored in the Truth and in a recognition of sin and repentance.
Catholic Charities Sunday
Dear Friends in […]
Catholic Charities Sunday
Dear Friends in […]
Annual Catholic Appeal
Dear Friends in Christ,
What better place to look for the theme of this year’s diocesan appeal than to the witness of our new Holy Father, Pope Francis? His powerful example of charity will be our focus as we approach our 2014 Annual Catholic Appeal and its theme: “Beacon of Faith; Fire of Charity.”
Brothers and sisters, we are each chosen to be a Beacon of Faith to our friends, family, co-workers — a beacon radiating the light of Christ to all with whom we come into contact. Pope Francis has made clear that as the world grows darker, we must continue to strengthen our own faith; allow ourselves to be evangelized anew; to become part of the New Evangelization; and work together as one with the mission of Christ and His Church.
Catholic Charities Sunday
Dear Friends in Christ,
As Bishop of Madison, I am pleased to announce that I am designating Sunday, October 13, as Catholic Charities Sunday for the Diocese of Madison.
Catholic Charities fulfills the Church’s role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, caring services to all God’s people. It is important for us as Catholics to put our faith into action, where our Lord’s command to “Love our Neighbor” is carried out.