MADISON — The Most Rev. Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, died Saturday, November 24th, at approximately 9:15 pm at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. He was 71 years old. Please pray for the repose of his soul, for his friends and coworkers, and for all of the faithful of the Diocese of Madison.
Category: Bishop
Statement on Bishop Robert C. Morlino’s health
On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bishop Robert Morlino was undergoing planned medical tests and had a cardiac event.
Ongoing vigilance against abuse takes the form of action in diocese
Faced as we are with the ongoing specter of sin and even crime on the part of some priests, religious, and bishops of the Church, Bishop Robert Morlino has given clear direction that in the Diocese of Madison we will do all we can to continue to strengthen our efforts in the protection of children and vulnerable persons, to expand our work in oversight and transparency, and to increase our focus on rooting out sin at every level.
To that end, the following additional actions have already gotten underway in the past several months, with a great deal still to come:
• Prayer, sacrifice, reparation — Prayer alone cannot suffice where there is clear need for concrete and decisive action. However, the grace of God is essential in achieving any good and our prayers do have an effect. The Church has been wounded through the terrible sins of her members and her ministers, and there must be spiritual as well as practical efforts made to repair the wounds.
To this end, the bishop himself has undertaken added prayer, sacrifice, and reparation for the purification of the Church and the healing of victims. He has also called for the faithful in the diocese to join with him in these prayers.
• Review of all files — As many dioceses are now doing, the Diocese of Madison is in the process of scheduling a full, independent review of all priest personnel files. This will serve to make absolutely certain that not only have past cases been properly handled, but that historical instances of abuse are identified, even where no current victims might be known.
• Added work hours devoted to Safe Environment and Victim Assistance — Responsibilities have been shifted among diocesan personnel and work hours have been added through the separation of the previously combined roles of “Director of Safe Environment” and “Victim Assistance Coordinator.” This separation of roles has already allowed for greater focus on both the constant improvement of safe environment processes and on caring for the needs of victims and accusers.
Bishop Morlino officiates at blessing of new Abbess
Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison recently officiated at the blessing of Mother Cecilia Snell, OSB, as the new Abbess of the Benedictines of Mary Queen of Apostles at the Abbey of Our Lady of Ephesus in Gower, Mo.
Statement of Bishop Robert Morlino for August, 27, 2018
In the first place, I would like to affirm my solidarity with Cardinal DiNardo and his statement on behalf of the USCCB, particularly in two respects: 1) In his statement, Cardinal DiNardo indicates that the recent letter of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, “brings particular focus and urgency” to the examination by the USCCB of the grave moral failings of bishops. “The questions raised,” Card. DiNardo says, “deserve answers that are conclusive and based on evidence. Without those answers, innocent men may be tainted by false accusations and the guilty may be left to repeat the sins of the past.” 2) And, Card. DiNardo continues, “we renew our fraternal affection for the Holy Father in these difficult days.”
With those convictions and sentiments, I find myself completely in solidarity.
Statement of Bishop Robert Morlino for August, 27, 2018
In the first place, I would like to affirm my solidarity with Cardinal DiNardo and his statement on behalf of the USCCB, particularly in two respects: 1) In his statement, Cardinal DiNardo indicates that the recent letter of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, “brings particular focus and urgency” to the examination by the USCCB of the grave moral failings of bishops. “The questions raised,” Card. DiNardo says, “deserve answers that are conclusive and based on evidence. Without those answers, innocent men may be tainted by false accusations and the guilty may be left to repeat the sins of the past.” 2) And, Card. DiNardo continues, “we renew our fraternal affection for the Holy Father in these difficult days.”
With those convictions and sentiments, I find myself completely in solidarity.
Bishop Robert C. Morlino’s letter to the faithful regarding the ongoing sexual abuse crisis in the Church
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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.
Appointment 8-1-2018
Msgr. James Bartylla, […]
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;