By George Pawlaczyk
Belleville News-Democrat
March 17, 2008
http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/283221.html
The names of 46 priests who signed a letter asking Belleville Bishop Edward K. Braxton to resign were released today.
On Friday, the list, which represents about 60 percent of the active priests in the diocese but also includes seven retired priests, asked Braxton to step down, "...for his own good, for the good of the diocese and for the good of the presbyterate," or priests.
 |
| Bishop Edward K. Braxton |
Braxton was criticized for misusing about $17,100 in restricted funds he used to buy new ceremonial garments and new office furniture and for not communicating with priests. Regarding the misuse of funds, he publicly apologized and said the money will be repaid from other funds.
Braxton could not be reached for comment. But at a Mass he gave on Sunday at St. Peter Cathedral in Belleville, parishioners said they heard the bishop end his homily by apparently referring to the call to resign.
Parishioner Kelly Casey said she heard him say, "Things are not as they seem. Things are not as they seem."
And parishioner Gloria Schwartz, said she heard him say, "Things are not as they appear. Things are not as they appear."
Priests of the Belleville Diocese supporting the statement adopted at the Germantown meeting of priests last Wednesday, and released to the public Friday:
1) Rev. Msgr. James A. Buerster 2) Rev. Msgr. Donald W. Eichenseer
3) Rev. Msgr. Thomas D. Flach
4) Rev. Msgr. Jerome D. Hartlein
5) Rev. Msgr. Vincent A. Haselhorst
6) Rev. Msgr. William J. Hitpas
7) Rev. Msgr. Kenneth J. Schaefer
8) Rev. Msgr. Carl E. Scherrer
9) Rev. Msgr. Marvin C. Volk
10) Rev. Msgr. Bernard L. Voss
11) Very Rev. Robert B. Flannery
12) Very Rev. Thomas H. Stout
13) Rev. Brian M. Barker
14) Rev. Donald A. Blaes
15) Rev. David L. Braun
16) Rev. Richard L. Daly
17) Rev. James R. Dougherty
18) Rev. Henry J. Fischer
19) Rev. John W. Frerker
20) Rev. J. Clyde Grogan
21) Rev. Gary P. Gummersheimer
22) Rev. Leo J. Hayes
23) Rev. Gerald R. Hechenberger
24) Rev. Stephen J. Humphrey
25) Rev. Wilbert J. Iffert
26) Rev. John J. Joyce
27) Rev. Roger Vermalen Karban
28) Rev. Louis A. Koehr
29) Rev. Donald J. Lenzini
30) Rev. George A. Mauck
31) Rev. Richard G. Mohr
32) Rev. James M. Nall
33) Rev. Eugene J. Neff
34) Rev. Patrick N. Peter
35) Rev. Joseph C. Rascher
36) Rev. William J. Rowe
37) Rev. Stephen A. Rudolphi
38) Rev. Edward F. Schaefer
39) Rev. Mark D. Stec
40) Rev. Joseph L. Trapp
41) Rev. Charles W. Tuttle
42) Rev. David A. Voelker
43) Rev. James A. Voelker
44) Rev. Dennis F. Voss
45) Rev. Jerry E. Wirth
46) Rev. Eugene Wojcik
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.