"Strong fraternal correction" can work both ways
Have you been following this news story? The U.S. bishops' Office of Child and Youth Protection last week recommended "strong fraternal correction" for the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska. Lincoln's Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz has angered the bishops' board by never following its post-scandals "compliance" program.
Yes -- other dioceses and archdioceses have gone bankrupt or have as many as 560 sex abuse lawsuits pending against them (can anyone say, "L.A.") -- so the board criticizes not them but the Diocese of Lincoln.
The bishops' board's lack of perspective is amazing. But even more astounding, only in a good way, is that the board's target, Bishop Bruskewitz, refused to take the board's criticism lying down and in fact fired back and in no uncertain terms.
Here is what Bishop Bruskewitz said -- and to say the least, "strong fraternal correction" might be the word for it:
"Some woman named Patricia O'Donnell Ewers, who is the Chair of something called 'A National Review Board for the Protection of Children and Young People', has said that her Board 'calls for strong fraternal correction of the Diocese of Lincoln.' The Diocese of Lincoln has nothing to be corrected for, since the Diocese of Lincoln is and has always been in full compliance with all laws of the Catholic Church and with all civil laws. Furthermore, Ewers and her Board have no authority in the Catholic Church and the Diocese of Lincoln does not recognize them as having any significance.
"It is well known that some of the members of Ewers' Board are ardent advocates of partial birth abortion, other abortions, human cloning, and other moral errors. It is understandable then how such persons could dislike the Diocese of Lincoln, which upholds the moral teaching of the Catholic Church.
"The words attributed to Ewers seem to confirm the suspicion that the members of her Board are unfamiliar with Catholic teachings, Catholic ecclesiology, and even the basic rudiments of the Catholic Catechism. Rather than concerning themselves with the Diocese of Lincoln about which they appear completely ignorant, Ewers and her colleagues would occupy themselves in a better way by learning something about the Catholic religion and the traditions and doctrines and laws of the Catholic Church.
"The Diocese of Lincoln does not see any reason for the existence of Ewers and her organization."
Now, there is a bishop who knows how to "bishop!" Congratulations, Your Excellency!
Yes -- other dioceses and archdioceses have gone bankrupt or have as many as 560 sex abuse lawsuits pending against them (can anyone say, "L.A.") -- so the board criticizes not them but the Diocese of Lincoln.
The bishops' board's lack of perspective is amazing. But even more astounding, only in a good way, is that the board's target, Bishop Bruskewitz, refused to take the board's criticism lying down and in fact fired back and in no uncertain terms.
Here is what Bishop Bruskewitz said -- and to say the least, "strong fraternal correction" might be the word for it:
"Some woman named Patricia O'Donnell Ewers, who is the Chair of something called 'A National Review Board for the Protection of Children and Young People', has said that her Board 'calls for strong fraternal correction of the Diocese of Lincoln.' The Diocese of Lincoln has nothing to be corrected for, since the Diocese of Lincoln is and has always been in full compliance with all laws of the Catholic Church and with all civil laws. Furthermore, Ewers and her Board have no authority in the Catholic Church and the Diocese of Lincoln does not recognize them as having any significance.
"It is well known that some of the members of Ewers' Board are ardent advocates of partial birth abortion, other abortions, human cloning, and other moral errors. It is understandable then how such persons could dislike the Diocese of Lincoln, which upholds the moral teaching of the Catholic Church.
"The words attributed to Ewers seem to confirm the suspicion that the members of her Board are unfamiliar with Catholic teachings, Catholic ecclesiology, and even the basic rudiments of the Catholic Catechism. Rather than concerning themselves with the Diocese of Lincoln about which they appear completely ignorant, Ewers and her colleagues would occupy themselves in a better way by learning something about the Catholic religion and the traditions and doctrines and laws of the Catholic Church.
"The Diocese of Lincoln does not see any reason for the existence of Ewers and her organization."
Now, there is a bishop who knows how to "bishop!" Congratulations, Your Excellency!
posted by Quintero at 10:50 PM
12 Comments:
I first heard of Monsenor Bruskewitz some five or six years ago on a radio program. I remember that Bruskewitz was a "tradtionalist" thorn in the side of the infamous liberal Archbishop Rembert WEAKland, of the archdiocese of Milwaukee. I mean, Monseñor Bruskewitz actually believes in loyalty to Rome and believes in what the Catholic Church teaches and Her authority to teach! It was no secret that when Bruskewitz was assigned to Lincoln (NE), Weakland was glad to see him go.
Bruskewitz's name, honesty and his traditional views popped up again in 2002. During the scandal that ensued when Weakland had to resign in disgrace after an ex-lover disclosed that Weakland payed him $450K in hush money. Money that was taken from the coffers of the archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Isn't it something that when the Lord removes the lampstand is sure gets really dark out there, fast. Don't it?
Please, God give us [archdiocese of Los Angeles] a pastor like Monsenor Fabian Bruskewitz. Amen.
BTW, Monsenor Bruskewitz has a book out: "Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz: A Shepherd Speaks" from Ignatius Press
Whatever happened to Weakland? Where is he now?
May it please God to grant us more holy bishops like Bp. Bruskewitz and may the early retirement of hte cardinal of Los Angeles and other heterodox bishops coms as soon as possible.
Ave Maria!
Rembert Weakland, OSB, is retired and living in the home provided for retired priests by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
He's here because (it is reported) when he asked the Latrobe Abbey (his home abbey) whether they had space for him, they responded "nope."
But he's not exactly popular, except with the chi-chi Intellectualoid Protestants...
When it became known that he was to administer Confirmation at a west-suburban parish, the parents of the confirmands rose up as one and DEMANDED that Weakland NOT be the celebrant...
And he stayed home that night.
Bruskewitz is a ninja!
I grew up in Wisconsin and we were never happier than when Weakland resigned.
Now if only someone else [coughHollywoodcough] would join him.
...counting to days 'til mandatory retirement...
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Bishop Bruskewitz's actions remind me of Jesus in the temple, throwing out the people. The good Bishop just threw out the board. Quintero, thank you for the post.
Rita
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Q, I think this spat is very interesting. I've had difficulty following how it's progressed, and would appreciate if you would keep us up on it. Thanks, and great blogging!
On Bettinelli's blog there is a link to a very interesting interview Bishop Bruskewitz gave in 2004.
http://www.bettnet.com/blog/index.php/weblog/what_bishop_bruskewitz_said/
Tom
Okay sorry I can't figure out how to paste this but the rest of that link is:
weblog/what_bishop_bruskewitz_said/
Tom
Quintero,
I pray for an early retirement for your heterodoxical emminence!
Bishop Bruskewitz is a great Catholic. I also pray that many more like him begin to infiltrate and destroy the lavendar mafia and heterodoxical diocese such as Albany and Rochester.
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