HURLEY (WI)
Ironwood Daily Globe
By MARGARET LEVRA
Globe Staff Writer
HURLEY -- A closer relationship between the Superior Diocese and its parishioners is necessary, Bishop Rafael Fliss told about 50 people Tuesday night.
They gathered at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley to talk about the late Rev. Ryan Erickson and the recent determination that he probably murdered a Hudson, Wis., funeral home director and his intern in February 2002.
"It is highly unusual for a bishop to stand up in front of his people with humility and say, 'I messed up bad and I need your help to make sure it doesn't happen again,'" said the Rev. Michael Hayden, pastor at St. Mary's. "He was sincere in seeking the help of all of us.
"We're looking at a serious oversight here. He (Fliss) needs the advice of a broad base of the diocese. He needs to pay attention to the people," Hayden said.