BishopAccountability.org
	SNAP Protests Weakland Speech at Cathedral Convention By Tom Murray WTMJ January 12, 2010 http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/81251237.html [with video] MILWAUKEE - Having admitted to a homosexual affair, and accused of covering up decades of church sex abuse, former Milwaukee Catholic Archbishop Rembert Weakland is again in the spotlight. A group representing victims of clergy abuse is upset with Weakland's apperance at the National Cathedral Ministry Conference, hosted by the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Weakland is a keynote speaker at the conference which is being held at the Pfister Hotel, and critics say that's not right. In a speech open only to those with tickets, Weakland is talking to the national conference about cathedral building and renovation. "It's focused on the Cathedral and his mindset in renovating the Cathedral," said Fr. Carl Last of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Downtown Milwaukee. Father Last insists Weakland's role in the sex abuse cover-up does not disqualify the disgraced Catholic leader, who is now retired, from representing the Archdiocese. "I don't know what more he can do. I believe he has spoken out." The victim's advocacy group SNAP (The Survivor's Network of Those Abused by Priests) protested on the very steps of the Cathedral Weakland helped to renovate. "If Archbishop Weakland is going to make a public appearance, he ought to do it not talking about the renovation of this building, but he should be talking about child sexual abuse," said Peter Isely, the Midwest Director of SNAP. Among them was John Pilmaier, who says he was abused at age seven. "It shows that he's afraid to stand up and face people; face me, face other survivors, face parents," said Pilmaier. Aside from speaking publicly about his book release last year, Weakland has maintained a relatively low profile since his 2002 retirement.
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