MILWAUKEE (WI)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
By MARY ZAHN
mzahn@journalsentinel.com
Posted: April 28, 2005
Eighty-four Milwaukee diocesan Catholic priests - or about one in five - supported a statement critical of a policy approved by Archbishop Timothy Dolan that would have required priests to consent to unannounced searches of their homes and other restrictions if church officials suspect or know they have been involved in inappropriate behavior.
The statement was read to Dolan on Thursday at a meeting of the Council of Priests, an advisory group to the Archbishop. In addition to the 26 priests and two bishops who are members of the council, an estimated 40 other priests attended the meeting, according to Father Curt Frederick, vicar for clergy.
"It was tough for me to hear these things," Dolan said after the meeting Thursday. "I think I learned something about myself. I have to examine my own style. The candor of the priests moved me."
The statement written by the Milwaukee Archdiocese Priest Alliance was approved by more than 65% of its 129 members, according to Father Kenneth Mich, a spokesman for the group. The alliance was formed in 2003 as a support network and independent voice for clergy.
Posted by kshaw at April 29, 2005 07:58 AM