Weakland Reveals He Is Gay in New Book, Lauren Leamanczyk, Todays TMJ, May 12, 2009

Weakland Reveals He Is Gay in New Book

By Lauren Leamanczyk
Today's TMJ
May 12, 2009

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/44755117.html

[with video]

Milwaukee--Former Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert Weakland reveals that he is gay in a book slated to be released next month.

Weakland headed the Milwaukee Archdiocese for more than 20 years. He resigned in scandal after it came to light that he had an affair with a man and paid him to keep it quiet.

Weakland apologized publicly for his indiscretions in 2002.

In a new book, Weakland speaks openly about his homosexuality and the affair with Paul Marcoux. He told the Associated Press that he tried to be as honest as possible and that he realized people in Milwaukee would have different reactions to his account. "What I felt was that people who loved me as bishop here, when they read the book will continue to love me. The people who found it difficult, I hope will be helped a little bit by the book," he told a reporter.

Local Catholics are not surprised by Weakland's admission that he is gay. "This revelation isn't surprising to me. It was when he, back in 2002 when it was announced that he had had the relationship. That took me by surprise," said Kathy Zellner.

Claudia Stelter says she isn't surprised that Weakland is gay. She believes the archdiocese has moved on and the book will bring back old wounds. "I don't think it's surprising and I just wish he'd move and retire," she said.