November 02, 2005

Families not pleased with Bishop's apology for Erickson

WISCONSIN
CBS 5

Updated: 11/02/2005 12:41:15 PM

The bishop who was in charge of the Rev. Ryan Erickson apologized last night for Erickson's actions.

A judge has ruled that Erickson likely killed two people three years ago at a funeral home in Hudson. Erickson committed suicide at that church last December, just days after authorities questioned him in the murders of Dan O'Connell and James Ellison.

Bishop Raphael Fliss faced parishioners at St Mary's church in Hurley, Wis. last night. Fliss tried to urge his parishioners to look to the future, but they urged him to take responsibility of his priests. At the meeting, the bishop admitted he failed and took responsibility for the actions of Erickson.

"I look back on it and I have to say that I certainly failed. I should have gone further and inquired more," Fliss said.

Posted by kshaw at November 2, 2005 06:11 PM