Glenn Grothman and Rembert Weakland

Yesterday during a public hearing on a bill lifting the statute of limitations on civil actions against child sexual abusers, Glenn Grothman had some harsh words for Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki and Rembert Weakland, former archbishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend), who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, expressed skepticism about the bill but grilled Listecki about the church's handling of past abuse cases and questioned why former Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland appeared with Listecki when Listecki was installed as archbishop last week.

Weakland has admitted in a memoir and court depositions that he shielded abusive priests.

"Isn't (honoring Weakland) really a poke in the eye to all those people who suffered so horribly?" Grothman said.

Listecki said Weakland's handling of abuse cases was flawed, but the church has changed its practices since then.

From the Associated Press:

A state senator is calling former Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert Weakland a "piece of work."

Sen. Glenn Grothman, a West Bend Republican, made the remarks during a hearing on a bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations on civil actions against child sexual abusers.

Weakland resigned as archbishop in 2002 after admitting the archdiocese secretly paid $450,000 to a man who accused him of sexual abuse.

Grothman called Weakland "just a piece of work. Unbelievable." Moments later Grothman referred to church officials who allowed Weakland to attend Listecki's installation Mass as "screwballs."

Weakland did not immediately return an e-mail seeking a response. Milwaukee Archdiocese Chief of Staff Jerry Topczewski said Weakland is still a part of the church.

Grothman sounded unprofessional. His choice of words made him come off as kind of screwy.

That said, I agree with the gist of Grothman's comments. I think it was a mistake for Weakland to attend Listecki's installation. Allowing him to be part of it implies the Church's endorsement of Weakland.

Of course, the Catholic Church is about forgiveness and redemption, complicating the situation with Weakland when it comes to his public role.

The problem I have with Weakland is that I don't think he has taken full responsibility for his wrongdoing. One has to fully acknowledge one's sinfulness before being forgiven.

From the Associated Press:

Former Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert Weakland says he handled sex abuse cases as best he could.

Weakland sent an e-mail to The Associated Press responding to state Sen. Glenn Grothman’s remarks at a hearing Tuesday. The West Bend Republican called Weakland a "piece of work" and church officials "screwballs" for allowing Weakland to attend new Archbishop Jerome Listecki’s installation Mass last week.

In his e-mail Weakland apologizes for any sexual abuse. He says he did his best with the cases with the knowledge and experience he had. He says God will be his judge.

No.

Weakland did not do the best he could. I don't buy that.

Regarding the sexual abuse scandal, Weakland said:

"We all considered sexual abuse of minors as a moral evil, but had no understanding of its criminal nature."

That's ridiculous. It's absurd.

No adult as educated as Weakland can be that clueless.

The way he attempts to dodge his responsibility for his actions as a church leader is extremely troubling. His current behavior remains a problem.

Weakland is right. God will judge him. In the meantime, society and the Church must judge him.

We have morals. We have laws. As a society, we maintain order by upholding our beliefs of what is right and wrong. We don't pass off our own responsibility to judge and seek justice on to God.

We do it.

We should do it. As people of God, aren't we expected to do that?

We don't sit back and watch in silence when we see a wrong. Silence serves to condone wrongful acts.

Weakland can be forgiven. We're all imperfect. We all want mercy, but we must account for what we've done.

I think giving Weakland a PUBLIC presence in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is failing to hold Weakland accountable. His transgressions were so egregious that he should have no PUBLIC role in the Archdiocese.

Simply put, Weakland's presence prevents healing.

Isn't it strange that Weakland thinks he can hang around and be accepted and admired? He and his supporters act as if it's wrong to acknowledge his misdeeds.

This is the same man who was in the business of secretly shifting sexually abusive priests from parish to parish to protect abusers rather than protect innocents from harm. He obviously didn't think that being open about the abuse was the way to go. He correctly assessed that parishioners wouldn't accept the offenders.

So why does he think we would or should accept him?