WISCONSIN
St. Paul Pioneer Press
BY STEVE SCOTT
Pioneer Press
The Superior, Wis., bishop who supervised the Rev. Ryan Erickson took responsibility Thursday for overseeing the young Roman Catholic priest's troubled-turned-tragic career.
"In my role as bishop, I know that ultimate responsibility for much of what has taken place rests upon my shoulders,'' Bishop Raphael Fliss wrote in a statement to pastors in the diocese that was subsequently released to news media.
Erickson this week was judged in St. Croix County Circuit Court to be the likely killer of two men at a Hudson, Wis., funeral home in February 2002.
"While I am truly sorry for not doing more to find out what really happened, I must apologize to the entire diocesan family and all the people of northern Wisconsin for these tragedies," Fliss said.
"I know the Lord is willing to forgive. I hope you will find it in your hearts to do the same.''