HUDSON (WI)
Duluth News Tribune
ASSOCIATED PRESS
HUDSON, Wis. - Parishioners at St. Patrick's Catholic Church want the bishop to apologize and acknowledge mistakes when he meets with them to discuss a former priest who a judge ruled probably killed two funeral home workers nearly four years ago, the parish's priest says.
The parish, in proposing some changes to Bishop Raphael Fliss of the Superior Diocese, also wants the diocese to pay more attention to parishioners and their concerns, make more information available about the seminary selection and education processes and improve background checks on potential priests, the Rev. John Parr said.
"What the parish is recommending is that there is a wisdom in God's people that needs to be recognized and tapped into more deeply," Parr said.
Fliss will meet with the congregation for the first time Sunday about the late Rev. Ryan Erickson, 31, who hanged himself about a year ago after police questioned him about the slayings.
"These events are going to take a long time (to heal) and a lot of God's grace," Parr said.
Erickson was a priest at the 1,800-member church from 2000 to 2003 and drew criticism from some parish members over his behavior and conservative religious views.