Listecki to Lead Ash Wednesday Mass at Pius Xi in Turbulent Time for Catholics

WTMJ
February 22, 2012

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/139963823.html

[with video]

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee's Archbishop was to say Ash Wednesday Mass at a local Catholic high school, all amidst a combination of difficulty and celebration for the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Jerome Listecki was to hold Mass at Pius XI High School on Wednesday to mark the beginning of Lent.

The last several months have been tough for the Archdiocese, as the church filed for bankruptcy.

Less than two weeks ago, it lost a court hearing involving clergy sex abuse victims. A bankruptcy judge ruled that more than 550 sex abuse claims could proceed in court.

"It is clearly a victory for the survivors that have filed into this court," said Peter Isely, a spokesman for the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP).

Some better news came this past weekend, as former Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan became elevated to the role of Cardinal of New York City.

"Archbishop Dolan was forthright. He was direct. He wasn't afraid," said Listecki.

"I, as his successor, come in and I feed off that. We're able to do with confidence what we need to."

Students and Staff from St. Vincent Pallotti Grade School were to join Pius XI students for the Mass at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday.