A Pilgrim in a Pilgrim Church: Memoirs of a Catholic Archbishop
Friday, September 18, 2009
By goodwink
Comments (13)
ShareThis by Rembert Weakland (Eerdmans, 2009)
When Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert Weakland resigned in May 2002, he did so in the midst of a media firestorm. Earlier that month, ABC News had broadcast an interview with Paul Marcoux, who claimed that Weakland had sexually assaulted him two decades earlier. In the days that followed, the public learned that the Archdiocese of Milwaukee had paid $450,000 to Marcoux in a confidential settlement. Subsequent revelations suggesting that the relationship had been consensual did little to salvage Weakland's reputation.
It was a tragic end to the career of one of the most prominent American churchmen of the 20th century. Weakland's new autobiography tells the tale of an enormously gifted young man of humble beginnings who rose swiftly in the Benedictine order, ultimately becoming abbot primate of the Benedictine Confederation in 1967. A close colleague of Pope Paul VI, Weakland was appointed by the pope to be archbishop of Milwaukee in 1977, a post he held until 2002.
Weakland's book is long and at times excessively detailed, but future historians will be grateful that he has committed so much of his life to paper. That life is a chronicle of the church's efforts to understand and receive the fruits of the Second Vatican Council. In the wake of the council, Weakland played important roles in the reform of the liturgy and the renewal of religious life. As an archbishop, Weakland shepherded the U.S. bishops' well-known pastoral letter on the economy. Toward the end of the book, he provides a window into the thinking of bishops faced with allegations of clergy sexual abuse.
With his famously liberal views and his forthright way of expressing them, it is not surprising that Weakland was controversial. One does not have to share all of his positions or condone all his actions to feel that he was a great gift to the church. His book is a chronicle of an extraordinary man living in an extraordinary time, and its value is likely to increase with the passing of years.wedding
By wedding (not verified) on Wednesday, May 5, 2010Archbishop Weakland
By John Kane, C.M. (not verified) on Tuesday, October 6, 2009I have not read the Archbishop's book but I have read the comments made (10 of them). As I read all that was written ABOUT the book and the man, I ask myself --- do I want to belong to the same church that some of these letter writers belong to? Is this how they treat a church member who has sinned? I don't think I would join a church of saints. My presence as a sinner would really tarnish the whole group. Put me in the pew with Archbishop Weakland and all the other sinners Then I could really pray, from the back of the Church, "Lord, Have Mercy on me for I am a sinner" over and over again.
Weakland is a disgrace to the Church
By Chuck Weber (not verified) on Tuesday, September 29, 2009I am appalled that a magazine or publication with the name "Catholic" would in any way congratulate or celebrate a life such as the one former Archbishop Weakland has selfishly chosen to reveal in his so-called "memoirs." Even in a book review.
All this pablum about "judging" is remarkable in its willful ignorance that there is nothing to "judge;" Archbishop Weakland removes all doubt and publicly tells the world he is a sinner and a fraud to his vocation--yet not contrite or sorrowful in any discernable way.
Please be assured that when looking to role models for my 11-year-old son and the priesthood, I shall turn to the wisdom of Archbishop Burke, Archbishop Naumann, Bishop Finn, Bishop Olmsted, and many others who, thankfully, are reaplacing the likes of Archbishop Weakland.
Shameless.
I wonder if "Shameless" read
By Anonymous (not verified) on Tuesday, September 29, 2009I wonder if "Shameless" read the book. It was very interesting and honest. I think Jesus would celebrate all the good Archbishop Weakland did and forgive whatever is necessary. The ones Jesus severely castigated were those are happy to judge others and heap venom on them. Remember the line about the one who is without sin casting the first stone?
"I wonder if shameless..."
By Chuck Weber (not verified) on Tuesday, September 29, 2009Dear Anonymous (hey, most of the Archbishop's supporters ARE anonymous),
Um, I've read a number of reviews--left and right--about Weakland's book. I've also heard plenty about other publications but don't need to read them--or this--word-for-word to know it is harmful to the faithful.
Judge? Puh-leeze. I think the former Archbishop did that himself without my help. Why are YOU judging ME?
I find it fascinating that
By Anonymous (not verified) on Tuesday, September 29, 2009I find it fascinating that one would hold up Archbishop Ray Burke as any example of an Archibishop. I personally know the man. He is arrogant, egotistical, and a petty tyrant. His focus is more on his career, looking to the acquisition of a red hat rather than being a shepherd to the people. Unlike Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who would leave his flock to find the one lost sheep, Ray Burke would stay at home and wish the sheep good riddance. Sorry, I would take Weakland with all his faults over Burke any day.
The case of funny, but I
By Levitra (not verified) on Saturday, October 31, 2009The case of funny, but I think for those who participated in this action is nothing funny was not.
Defending Archbishop Burke
By Chuck Weber (not verified) on Tuesday, September 29, 2009So sorry your feelings have been hurt by Archbishop Burke. He's no pushover--is that what you're looking for?--and he speaks the TRUTH. I'll take the Magisterium spoken with authenticity ANYTIME.
Burn in hell ???
By David Phillips (not verified) on Monday, September 28, 2009Even if he really were a "scumbag" and unworthy of being a bishop as you say...
It is outrageous that you would wish HELL on someone. Judge not lest ye be judged! Pray for others rather than condemn.
Read the Bible!
By Anonymous (not verified) on Saturday, October 3, 2009Yes it is true that Jesus did say "Judge not so you may not be judged." He also said: "Go and sin no more", after the "repentant" adulteress was saved from stoning. He also said another fascinating thing: Suffer the little Children to come unto me and Woe to anyone who would despise these little ones.
Those are just two examples that come to my mind. I don't have a bible right now. But the point is that there is condemnation. There is a HELL. There is punishment. There is JUDGMENT. You can continue to choose to believe your "new" theology that everyone is automatically "saved" and forgiven. I choose to believe the BIBLE. When in doubt go back to sacred scripture and tradition. Not what is in vogue in theological circles this week. Weakland was a scumbag. A homosexual. A thief of church funds. A co-conspirator and accessory to the rape of dozens if not hundreds of children. He never voiced repentance. He never apologized. He never truly regretted anything. To my way of thinking he deserves to burn in HELL.
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