Archbishop Weakland to publish memoir, Admits Homosexual Orientation

5/13/2009
Catholic News Agency (www.catholicnewsagency.com)

The former Archbishop of Milwaukee, Rembert Weakland, is considered to be one of the most liberal bishops in the United States. His new book will bring even further revelations concerning his life and tenure as a prelate in the Church.

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Milwaukee, Wis (CNA) - Former Archbishop of Milwaukee Rembert Weakland, who resigned after revelations that his archdiocese paid $450,000 to a man who alleged the archbishop had sexually assaulted him, will soon publish a memoir describing his work in the Church and his sexual orientation.

His book "A Pilgrim in a Pilgrim Church: Memoirs of a Catholic Archbishop" will be released in June.

On Monday the archbishop told the Associated Press he was "very careful and concerned that the book not become a Jerry Springer" to satisfy a "prurient curiosity."

"At the same time, I tried to be as honest as I can."

He said he wrote about his sexual orientation because he wanted to be candid about "how this came to life in my own self, how I suppressed it, how it resurrected again."

In May 2002 Paul Marcoux, a former Marquette University theology student, revealed that the archdiocese paid him $450,000 to settle a sexual assault claim he had made against Archbishop Weakland, the Milwaukee Ledger-Enquirer reports.

In an August 1980 letter obtained by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Archbishop Weakland said he was conflicted over Marcoux and had "come back to the importance of celibacy in my life."

The archbishop stepped down soon after the revelation but denied assaulting anyone. He apologized for concealing the payment, but the news disturbed those in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, which Archbishop Weakland had headed since 1977.

According to the Milwaukee Ledger-Enquirer, the archbishop was a hero for liberal Catholics because of his work on social justice and other issues.

Archbishop Weakland, who is now 82, said he seriously considered the pain he could cause by returning attention to the scandal and thought about waiting until after his death to publish the memoir.

However, he decided to move ahead.

"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," he told the Associated Press.

In a May 7 statement published on its website, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee reported that the book recounts Archbishop Weakland�s relationship with Paul Marcou and the events surrounding his 2002 retirement.

"The book will undoubtedly spark a variety of emotions in Catholics throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Some people will be angry about the book, others will support it," the statement said.

"The Archdiocese of Milwaukee continues to pray for the needs and intentions of all those who experienced this difficult time."

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1 - 6 of 6 Comments

Esther M Ferencz
3 years ago
I have returned to this page to read some of the other comments and I find that I am coming off very un CHRISTIAN LIKE...in that I am not filled with such pity...I feel sadness but not personal SADNESS for the bishop. He firstly ran a very liberal diocese and social justice matters. Tell me did they concern in his LIBERAL THEOLOGY that a baby is not to be aborted? Did he say that two men or two women engaging in sexual activity was not GODS PLAN and in fact when carried forth is a sin...DID HE? Or did he promagate these things saying oh pray for all, which we do and are told by God to do always...yet I think their should be some responsibilty placed on the dear bishop for leading many astray. He appears to not have a care who and how he HURTS others as though the book willl remove stain from his consciense. Its one thing to be repenteive its another to act on that repent. As I see it the bishop with writing this book has caused more PAIN for others and gave himself some release.....its sick and sad. God save us and the church! If I sound angry you bet I am I am tired of this NONSENSE going on. The church the country and the world is going to HELL in a handbasket and we have to be tittilated by this stuff....I have HAD IT....JUST RETIRE and GO AWAY!!!
mathias
3 years ago
i read the book and it has been a blessing for me. It has reinforced my faith in a human church. I admire the honesty of this man when he admits that the church is a communion of saints and sinners too. This is the Holy Catholic Church that I love. mathias
Nilo F. Cantonjos
3 years ago
Let's pray for the Bishop's conversion. With his unrepentant attitude and promotion of a grave homosexual lifestyle, he is leading others to a path of destruction.
Eddie Fong
4 years ago
I will pray that people will read the book first and made their decision. God bless you for your courage to come forward, Archbishop.
Personally, I don't know you, I will pray that this book will be as honest as you say it is. Being a homosexual is not a sin, it is the actions homosexual do to offend God that makes it wrong.
Mike S
4 years ago
For God's sake, why doesn't this man just "retire"? If he feels he had done something unholy, (like we all have), why doesn't he just remain silent and keep his peace and leave the bruising church alone? Why renew the whole wound all over?
Esther M Ferencz
4 years ago
Just what the CATHOLIC CHURCH NEEDS another PONTIUS PILOT ,,,only this one is writing his memoirs! At the age of 82 he knows DEATH is not so far away, I do pray he makes his peace with GOD and be ready for the promised REBUKE for LEADING GODS CHILDREN ASTRAY!

THIS dear friends, this bishop is ones of the REASONS we have had such mass DESTRUSTION of the FAITH due to the advancement of HOMOSEXUAL MEN into the PRIESTHOOD!

May this BISHOP who I refuse to acknowledge, BISHOP WEAKLAND find his way before ITS TO LATE!

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