The Compass - Official Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin

Business acumen: How one Swiss Guard found inspiration in late pope

jkurowski@gbdioc.org (Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service) — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:57:30 +0000

VATICAN CITY — Some might find the Vatican an unlikely teacher of business management, especially these days, given the ouster of the Vatican Bank's president for negligence and a leaked document scandal alleging corruption and incompetence in the Holy See.

But according to one former Swiss Guard, the years he spent protecting Blessed John Paul II yielded life-changing lessons for a career in business.

Vatican bank board fires president, citing neglect of duties

jkurowski@gbdioc.org (Catholic News Service ) — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:47:09 +0000

VATICAN CITY — Ettore Gotti Tedeschi, president of the Vatican bank, was fired May 24 by the bank's board of supervisors, who censured him for neglecting his duties amid worsening management problems.

The board of the bank, formally known as the Institute for the Works of Religion, issued an unusually blunt statement through the Vatican Press Office, noting that members had repeatedly expressed concern to Gotti Tedeschi about the bank's "governance," but that the "situation has deteriorated further."

Egypt's Christians support candidates who would check Islamists' power

jkurowski@gbdioc.org (Michael Gunn | Catholic News Service ) — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:30:43 +0000

CAIRO — Egyptian Christians voting in their nation's historic presidential election were throwing much of their support behind candidates who aimed to check the power of the Islamist parties.

Although no official statistics on the Christian vote were reported, in the days before and during the election, many of Egypt's Christians said they would support candidates who served under ousted President Hosni Mubarak and said the ideals of the 2011 revolution might have been too ambitious.

Vatican police arrest one source of leaked documents

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service) — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:31:08 +0000

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican police have arrested an individual in possession of private Vatican documents in connection to the so-called "VatiLeaks" scandal that began in January.

"This person now is being questioned by the Vatican magistrates for further information," said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, who declined to name the person.

Methodist service asks forgiveness for priest's murder 91 years ago

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (Catholic News Service) — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:09:59 +0000

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — More than 90 years after a Methodist clergyman killed a Catholic priest in Birmingham, members of both churches gathered to seek forgiveness and reconciliation.

"There is no statute of limitations on forgiveness," said Passionist Father Alex Steinmiller, president of Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Birmingham, during a service at Highlands United Methodist Church.

Vatican publishes rules for verifying Marian apparitions

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service) — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:22:24 +0000

VATICAN CITY — To help bishops determine the credibility of alleged Marian apparitions, the Vatican has translated and published procedural rules from 1978 that had previously been available only in Latin.

The "Norms regarding the manner of proceedings in the discernment of presumed apparitions or revelations" were approved by Pope Paul VI in 1978 and distributed to the world's bishops, but never officially published or translated into modern languages.

Italian bishops publish first clerical sex abuse norms

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service) — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:36:31 +0000

VATICAN CITY — The Italian bishops' conference released its first ever set of guidelines for handling accusations of clerical sexual abuse, urging bishops to cooperate with civil authorities, but also making it clear that bishops in Italy have no legal obligation to report suspected cases to police.

Bishop Mariano Crociata, general secretary of the bishops' conference, presented the guidelines to reporters May 22 and told them that 135 cases of clerical sexual abuse of minors had been reported between 2000 and 2012.

Jury finds diocese liable for fraud

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (The Compass) — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:53:33 +0000

Merryfields drop punitive damages claim

Editor's note: This updated story includes new information from today.

GREEN BAY — An Outagamie County Circuit Court jury on May 21 found in favor of Todd and Troy Merryfield in a civil lawsuit filed in January 2008 against the Diocese of Green Bay. The lawsuit claimed fraud by the diocese based on the plaintiffs' allegation that the diocese knew that then-priest John Feeney had a history of sexual molestation and was a danger to children.

The jury of five women and seven men awarded damages of $700,000 to the Merryfields. During closing arguments, the plaintiffs' attorneys asked the jury to award the Merryfields $2.8 million.

STAA valedictorian thankful for leadership opportunities

jkurowski@gbdioc.org (Jeff Kurowski | The Compass) — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:29:55 +0000

MARINETTE — Rachel Tandias expects June 2 to be a bittersweet day. On one hand, the St. Thomas Aquinas Academy graduation ceremony will mark a culmination of achievement for Tandias, the class valedictorian. On the other hand, it will serve as a farewell to a place that helped carve her path for the future.

"I feel so blessed to have been a student at STAA," said Tandias, the daughter of Dr. James and Mary Tandias. "I think it has really shaped me in so many ways and has given me so many opportunities to pursue everything I’ve wanted to do. I’m really thankful for the staff and our coaches."

Sisters honored during Jubilee Mass at cathedral

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (Sam Lucero | The Compass) — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:34:23 +0000

GREEN BAY — Thirty-three sisters, representing 1,908 years of ministry, were honored during a Sisters' Jubilee Mass celebrated by Bishop David Ricken May 20 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral.

"It's incredible the number of years that have been given to the church through consecrated life, through these women who are here, and those who couldn't be with us today," said Bishop Ricken in his homily. Of the 33 jubilarians, 19 were present for the Mass and reception that followed.

Parish honors retiring principal

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (The Compass) — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:32:32 +0000

Sr. Carol Jean Peterson's Catholic school ministry began in 1959

APPLETON — St. Pius X Parish honored Sr. Carol Jean Peterson, who will retire at the end of the school year as principal of St. Pius X Elementary School, with a retirement celebration on May 19.

Sr. Carol Jean has served more than 53 years in Catholic education. Reflecting on her ministry, Sr. Carol Jean said, "It is a gift. I am most grateful for the people in my life and the call to work in ministry with children."

Sisters bring Sunseed gardening ministry to Appleton, Green Bay

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (Steve Wideman | For The Compass) — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:28:25 +0000

With closure of Mount Calvary convent, Notre Dame sisters move to diocese

MOUNT CALVARY — The calendar has yet to turn to June 1, but Srs. Mary Ann Srnka and Mary Beck are already preparing to harvest dozens of plants.

The two sisters, members of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, are known from the Fox Cities to Milwaukee for their organically-raised crops and classes teaching food preservation techniques at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Convent in Mount Calvary, near Fond du Lac.

In hard times, she turns to Mary

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (Jean Peerenboom | For The Compass) — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:25:24 +0000

Sumnicht offers gratitude by making rosaries

MENASHA — When times got tough for Monica Sumnicht, she turned to the Blessed Mother and found solace, inspiration and a new career.

Sumnicht had been working as a nurse until her fibromyalgia made it too difficult to work and raise a family. That was in 2008. "I turned to God. God always works for the good. I stopped working and I started making one-of-a-kind rosaries as gifts. Money was tight and I wanted to give people something special," she said. "Then I started getting requests."

Bishop will ordain two to priesthood

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (The Compass) — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:18:51 +0000

GREEN BAY — Bishop David Ricken will ordain two men to the priesthood at the Mass of Ordination, 10 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, 140 S. Monroe Ave.

Deacon Ryan Krueger of St. Mary, Menasha (home parish), and Deacon B.J. Van Dynhoven of St. John Nepomucene Parish, Little Chute, will be ordained priests for the Diocese of Green Bay. Both recently graduated from Mundelein Seminary in Illinois.

Diocese responds to Outagamie Circuit Court ruling

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (The Compass) — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:42:29 +0000

GREEN BAY — Outagamie County Circuit Court, Judge Nancy Krueger dismissed all claims for punitive damages against the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay on Wednesday morning, May 23. On Monday, the jury reached a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs, Todd and Troy Merryfield, in the lawsuit filed in January 2008, and awarded $700,000 in compensatory damages.

Pope to host World Meeting of Families

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service) — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:49:05 +0000

In Milan, pontiff to give Catholic families hope in troubled times

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI will meet with the world's families at a time when the institution of the family is under threat and many are still struggling with a worldwide economic crisis and a lack of cultural and societal support.

As a sign of his deep concern for bolstering the family based on the lifelong union between a man and a woman, the pope will travel to Milan to meet with those attending the May 30-June 3 World Meeting of Families.

Masses in Baltimore, Washington to open, close fortnight for freedom

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (Catholic News Service) — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:37:39 +0000

WASHINGTON — Masses at well-known basilicas in Baltimore and Washington will open and close the "fortnight for freedom," a special period of prayer, study, catechesis and public action proclaimed by the U.S. bishops for June 21 to July 4.

Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore will celebrate the opening Mass at Baltimore's historic Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 7 p.m. June 21 to kick off the Catholic Church's national education campaign on religious liberty.

Cristero War took her father but strengthened her faith, says woman

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (Doris Benavides | Catholic News Service) — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:32:50 +0000

LOS ANGELES — As she shut off the garden hose and set it next to her recently planted flowers, Maria Meza greeted a visitor.

"Yes, come in, everything's all wet, clean," she said with a smile.

Legion head admits he knew of US priest's transgressions

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service) — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:41:35 +0000

ROME — The head of the Legionaries of Christ admitted he knew about the sexual improprieties of a U.S. priest based in Rome and did too little to restrict his high-profile ministry.

But more important than his failure to limit the priest's ministry, he said, is the need to reassure members "that things are handled differently now."

Diocese responds to Merryfield lawsuit verdict

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (The Compass) — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:36:26 +0000

GREEN BAY — In Outagamie County Circuit Court, Appleton, after deliberations that began today at 12:30 p.m., a jury of five women and seven men found in favor of Todd and Troy Merryfield in a civil lawsuit filed against the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay in January 2008. The jury awarded damages of $700,000 to the Merryfields. On Wednesday, the jury will reconvene to consider the possibility of assessing punitive damages against the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, Inc. The lawsuit claimed fraud by the diocese based on the plaintiffs' allegation that the diocese knew that then-priest John Feeney had a known history of sexual molestation and was a danger to children.

In response to today's decision, Deacon Timothy G. Reilly, General Director of the Diocesan Curia, issued the following statement:

Federal lawsuits by Catholic dioceses, groups seek to stop HHS mandate

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (Nancy Frazier O'Brien | Catholic News Service) — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:57:56 +0000

WASHINGTON — Forty-three Catholic dioceses, schools, hospitals, social service agencies and other institutions filed suit in federal court May 21 to stop three government agencies from implementing a mandate that would require them to provide contraceptives and sterilization to their employees.

"Through this lawsuit, plaintiffs do not seek to impose their religious beliefs on others," said one of the suits, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana by the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Catholic Charities of the diocese, St. Anne Home and Retirement Community, Franciscan Alliance, University of St. Francis and Our Sunday Visitor.

Vatican will take legal action

pkasten@gbdioc.org (By Cindy Wooden | Catholic News Service ) — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:12:07 +0000

Says publication of 'VatiLeaks' letters is 'criminal act'

VATICAN CITY — The Italian television journalist who set off the "VatiLeaks" controversy by releasing private letters to Pope Benedict XVI and between Vatican officials has published a large collection of leaked documents in a new book called "Your Holiness."

In a statement May 19, Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, called the publication of the letters for commercial gain a "criminal act" and said the Vatican would take legal action.

Film revisits the many sides of Mexico's Cristero Rebellion

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (David Agren | Catholic News Service) — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:42:04 +0000

MEXICO CITY — Even as modern-day church-state relations improve, the impact of Mexico's three-year Cristero Rebellion in the 1920s on the Catholic Church remains widely debated in Mexican society.

The rebellion saw Catholic clergy and laity taking up arms to oppose government efforts to harshly restrict the influence of the church and defend religious freedom. In the end, the rebellion of the Cristero -- soldiers for Christ -- was quelled in 1929, leaving the church sidelined for much of the last century and its role limited to a pastoral concerns with no say in the public policy arena.

Faith-based agencies aim to halt trafficking at London Olympics

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (Mark Pattison | Catholic News Service) — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:34:39 +0000

WASHINGTON — More than three dozen U.S. and British faith-based investment firms have banded together to get the Summer Olympics' major sponsors and tourist hotels to sign a pledge saying they will work to stop human trafficking around the Olympic Games.

So far, the campaign has had some success.

Franciscan University drops student health insurance plan

thecompassnews+admin01@gmail.com (Carol Zimmermann | Catholic News Service) — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:17:47 +0000

WASHINGTON — Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, is discontinuing its student health insurance plan in the upcoming school year in opposition to the Obama administration's mandate requiring most religious employers, including colleges, to provide no-cost contraceptive and sterilization coverage in its health insurance plans.

The school made the announcement to its students in mid-April and the news became public one month later when the university posted its campus health insurance policy on its website.