A Shepherd Gone Awry?

In my blog, I try not to reveal too much information that would provide some clues about my background - where I live, where I work, etc. My hope is that the millions of people that read this blog do not read a post and try to figure out who writes it - some readers know my identity. Who I am or what I do doesn't matter. What I write in this blog matters. My hope as that some of my musings will serve as seeds for ongoing thoughts for readers. A current situation demands my thoughts. Sharing those thoughts will provide some idea of where I live.

I live in the Diocese of Madison, WI. For several years, I have been frustrated by the lack of commitment of diocesan leadership to the development of permanent deacons to serve in the diocese. After reading a regional newspaper this morning, I am now disgusted with the leadership of the Diocese of Madison.

Here is the situation in a nutshell. A couple of years ago, St. Raphael Cathedral, the seat of the Diocese of Madison, burned down due to arson. Bishop Robert Morlino began to develop plans related to building a new cathedral. The Diocese of Madison signed a contract with a fund raising firm to assist in the development of a capital campaign for a new cathedral. The diocese and the firm announced that they would be conducting interviews with thousands of parishioners and numerous priests in the diocese to guage their thoughts and potential to support a new cathedral. It was assured that the responses would be confidential. The firm conducted the interviews and developed a summary that was presented to Bishop Morlino during a meeting. At that meeting, Bishop Morlino demanded that the firm provide him with the names of interview participants that expressed something negative about him. To the firm's credit, they refused to release the confidential information to Bishop Morlino. Bishop Morlino was visibly agitated and refused to pay the firm. The firm had no choice but to file a lawsuit. Some details of the lawsuit are now being made public - including the details about the bishop's demand for the confidential information. To see a related article from the Wisconsin State Journal, go to: http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/292448.

In response to growing concerns about Bishop Morlino's leadership style, a significant number of priests in the Diocese of Madison have formed a priest's coalition that is independent of diocesan administration. Who can blame them? If the details of the lawsuit are accurate, it is difficult for anyone in the diocese, especially priests, to have confidence in Bishop Morlino. He is now a huge target. People will now be looking for missteps in his leadership. It may be unfair to put him under the microscope. However, perception is "9/10ths of the law". Bishop Morlino has created the environment for such perceptions to develop. It will become increasingly difficult for him to effectively lead the diocese.

In spite of my frustration and disgust, I wish Bishop Morlino well. It is incredibly difficult to serve as a bishop. However, I wish him well somewhere else.