SNAP Milwaukee Letter to Archbishop Listecki on the Burial Honors Given to Pedophile Priest

SNAP Wisconsin
March 16, 2012

http://03409bc.netsolhost.com/snapwisconsin/

TO: Jerome Listecki, Archbishop of Milwaukee

FROM: Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

RE: Full priestly burial tribute to Jerome Lanser, who sexually assaulted children

We are writing on behalf of victim/survivors of rape, child sexual assault and abuse by Roman Catholic clergy who have worked or who are living in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Yesterday, much to our sadness and dismay, we learned that Jerome Lanser, a priest who was known and publically confirmed by the archdiocese to have committed child sex crimes, was granted a rare and privileged ceremony given to very few baptized Catholics: full, ceremonial burial honors as a Roman Catholic priest in good standing.

Among those honors was the distinction, similarly given to soldiers who have served their nation or police officers who have served their community, of being buried in full dress uniform, in Lanser’s case, sacred clerical attire and priestly liturgical vestments. Before his funeral service, it is reported that Lanser’s casket was open, with his vestments, for viewing.