Proceeds from Weakland's Book

Rembert Weakland claims that he'll be donating proceeds from his new book to charity.

Really?

I can't say that I trust him.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Retired Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland said Monday that he plans to donate the proceeds from sales of his forthcoming memoir to the Catholic Community Foundation, a local organization that funds programs in southeastern Wisconsin.

The memoir, "A Pilgrim in a Pilgrim Church," is due out in June. In it, the retired archbishop writes openly about his homosexuality and his failure to oversee pedophile priests, according to Publisher's Weekly, which called it "a moving personal confession."

...A spokesman for the archdiocese said Monday that it is unlikely to seek restitution of the funds paid out by Weakland from the book's profits because they were repaid previously by the retired archbishop and a group of supporters.

I don't get why Weakland feels the need to put his "moving personal confession" in print.

I assume he has received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Isn't that enough?

Has he spoken privately with those he harmed through his actions and his inactions?

Weakland talks about not wanting to go "Jerry Springer." If that's the case, then he shouldn't publicize his "personal confession."

Weakland's promise to give the proceeds from his book to the Catholic Community Foundation seems like little more than an effort on his part to sell more copies.

He's putting the word out that he's not trying to capitalize on his failures and weaknesses. In effect, the book is a fundraiser. Sure. Whatever.

What percent of the proceeds does Weakland plan to donate? Will he not make a dime off the book?

I'd like to know Weakland's definition of "proceeds."

Anyway, the fact that he says he's donating the book's proceeds to charity doesn't make the telling of his story any less distasteful.

...Weakland said he wrote in the memoir that he was unprepared for "how lonely it is" to be a bishop and how difficult it can be to get the "feedback and support you need," the AP reported.

Are any of us really prepared for what comes our way in life?

You don't have to be a celibate bishop to be lonely or have difficulty getting support. He's playing the victim card.

Is this memoir going to be a pity party?

Weakland said to the AP, "What I felt was that people who loved me as bishop here, when they read the book will continue to love me. The people who found it difficult, I hope will be helped a little bit by the book."

Weakland is approaching people's reactions to him and the revelations of his scandal in a very simplistic fashion, very black and white.

It's not as simple as dividing people into two groups -- those in his corner and those against him. He seems to be saying that the onus is on his detractors to learn to love him, as if they are the ones needing to be held accountable for bad behavior.

It sounds to me like Weakland feels entitled to forgiveness from those he hurt.

Furthermore, I find it hard to believe that "people who found it difficult" will be "helped a little bit by the book."

I doubt that they'll read it.

Weakland told the AP that Christians needed to speak more openly about gays in the priesthood without the "hysteria" that often characterizes the debate.

Clearly, Weakland has an agenda.

Maybe I'm out of the loop on this but I haven't witnessed "hysteria." I haven't been aware of any debates on gays in the priesthood.

A priest's sexual orientation is irrelevant, given the vow of celibacy. The same goes for nuns.

If a person commits to a religious order, he doesn't commit partially.

I don't know what kind of openness on gays in the priesthood Weakland is looking for.

Does he believe that priests should declare to parishioners whether they're straight or gay? Why do that? Who cares?

I have some sympathy for Weakland. He's 82 years old and he appears to be so confused.

Bottom line: Weakland seems to want to be forgiven without making any apologies.