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Bishop's supporters upstage the critics

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By BOB REEVES / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Jun 01, 2007 - 09:34:13 pm CDT

Nine members of the group Call to Action stood outside the Cathedral of the Risen Christ Friday to call attention to Lincoln Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz’s refusal to participate in an annual sex abuse audit.

But they were upstaged by more than 100 local Catholics who came together on less than an hour’s notice to show support for the bishop.

Call to Action, a group calling for reforms in the Catholic Church, had petitions signed by more than 1,000 people nationwide asking Bruskewitz to comply with the annual study of whether local dioceses are compliant with church rules to prevent and respond to sex abuse.

Story Photo
Members of Call To Action speak at a press conference on Friday as supporters of Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz gather nearby. (Anthony Roberts)

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Wesleyan e-mail address used improperly

After Rachel Pokora, state president of Call to Action-Nebraska, announced the group planned to present petitions to Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz this week, several local Catholics raised questions about the e-mail address on her news release.

Pokora gave her office e-mail address at Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she is on the faculty. She said she is writing a book about Call to Action as a social movement as part of her research, and that she would not try to make it look like Wesleyan was taking a stance on church issues.

Sara Olson, public relations director at NWU, said the problem was brought to the university administration’s attention.

The use of university e-mail for a group such as Call to Action, which is not affiliated with the university, is improper, Olson said. “She has been asked to use a personal e-mail address.” Pokora said she is doing that.

- Bob Reeves

But in about a day and a half, the group on the other side collected more than 1,400 signatures on a petition praising the bishop and thanking him for his service.

Rachel Pokora, president of Call to Action-Nebraska, had announced a prayer service for Friday afternoon outside the Catholic Chancery, but the group’s leaders decided to switch to a morning press conference after learning of a counter-demonstration planned by the bishop’s supporters.

Still, Mary Quintero, an organizer of the supporter group, was able to get 116 adults and children to pray and sing while the Call to Action people were talking.

Just as Pokora was starting to speak to reporters, the supporters, many dressed in red, walked by singing the hymn “Ave Maria.”

The Call to Action group joined in the singing for a few moments of unexpected togetherness.

Despite the greater numbers on the other side, Pokora said she believes Call to Action represents the majority of Catholics nationwide who want bishops to fully comply with the annual sex abuse study.  

“We are the church, and it is important that the voices of the faithful who are concerned about the children of the diocese are heard,” she said.

Bruskewitz has been identified as the only bishop of a Catholic diocese who declined to participate in the audits.

Bruskewitz has said the Lincoln Diocese is in full compliance with all civil and church laws regarding abuse of minors. The audit is not mandatory, and other bishops have upheld his right to opt out.

“There’s no requirement to do something that isn’t a law,” he said Friday. “If it were a law, we would obey it immediately, of course.”

Nevertheless, the non-participation raises questions, said John Krejci, a Call to Action member from Lincoln. “We have no guarantee that the children of this diocese are protected,” he said.

The counter-demonstrators, by contrast, said they supported  Bruskewitz’s decision and believe safeguards against abuse are working.

“We trust our bishop,” Quintero said. “He’s prayerful, he’s thoughtful, he’s vigilant. … We felt it was a great time to say thank you to the bishop for his faithfulness to the church and for the great job that he does.”

Asked about a case this week in which a seminary student at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary was arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography, Quintero said the fact he was identified and apprehended shows the procedures in the Lincoln Diocese are working.  That seminary is not under the jurisdiction of the Lincoln Diocese, but complies with its policies, she said.

The Call to Action members had planned to deliver the petitions to the bishop’s office, but several police officers were on hand to prevent them from crossing onto church property. Krejci said they would deliver them by mail or a delivery service.

“We were told that if we set foot on church property, we would be arrested,” Pokora said.

Friday afternoon, about 100 supporters gathered again outside the Chancery.  Many were still signing petitions, including a number of children who added signatures to the document expressing “our fervent support” for Bruskewitz.

The bishop came out and accepted the petitions, saying, “You are all very kind, more than kind.”

“We love our bishop,” Quintero said.

“I can see that,” Bruskewitz responded.

He asked them to pray for Call to Action members, that they return to the true Catholic faith. Bruskewitz considers the group anti-Catholic, although its members say they are faithful to the church’s teachings.

Doug Vandervort, who headed up the supporters’ petition campaign, noted that signatures came from people in Lincoln and several other states and were collected in 31 hours. Call to Action’s 1,000 signatures were collected over several months, he said.

Dan Daley, national co-director of Call to Action from Chicago, spoke at the morning news conference. Bishops in other dioceses said they could be trusted to prevent child abuse and deal with offenders, but abuse occurred and in some cases was covered up, he said.    

“Never again should the bishops be trusted when they say ‘Trust me’ on matters like this. That is why they (the U.S. bishops) formed the National Lay Review Board” and asked all bishops to participate in the annual audit, he said.

A local Catholic, Jack Sugrue, was among the bishop’s supporters.  

“We moved here from Dallas because of Bishop Bruskewitz, because of his dedication to practicing the faith faithfully,” he said.

Sugrue said he was not concerned about the bishop’s non-participation in the audit because the Lincoln Diocese has policies in place for preventing abuse.

“We haven’t suffered the problems other dioceses have.  He hasn’t taken a hands-off approach.”

Reach Bob Reeves at 473-7212 or breeves@journalstar.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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Liz wrote on June 1, 2007 1:41 pm:
" This is sad. This is not what the church is about. "

 Sylvia wrote on June 1, 2007 1:43 pm:
" The Bishop needs to investigate this and comply with the annual study. Today's most read story on the LJS web site is "Seminary student suspected of having child ...". "

 Happy to be Lutheran wrote on June 1, 2007 1:44 pm:
" This is why I'm Lutheran. "

 as wrote on June 1, 2007 2:19 pm:
" The saddest thing of all is that there are so many who see nothing wrong with the way Bruskewitz acts and the policies he supports/'encourages' as the head of the local church. If this was happening in any other religion, many would be screaming 'cult'. "

 Stephanie wrote on June 1, 2007 2:19 pm:
" This was an awesome example of support. CTA is silly to think that the church needs to follow what they think. This is not a democracy. If you don't think the church is correct, and our bishop is holy and thoughtful, then be a lutheran. Oh wait you all know that Christ is truely present in the euchrist and you don't want to give that up, right? The catholic church is not a pick and choose religion. "

 Hole wrote on June 1, 2007 2:24 pm:
" The Bishop has had a program in place to protect children long before the whole issue became a national issue, and the Seminary student issue proves that it is working. If the LJS story is correct, who turned the student in and turned in the evidence? It wasn't swept under the rug. I love our Bishop! "

 C'mon Sylvia wrote on June 1, 2007 2:33 pm:
" Did you miss the part about the seminarian being arrested and all the evidence being turned over to the police immediately? Isn't THAT what is supposed to happen? Isn't THAT better than some flawed, self-reporting audit that does absolutely nothing to protect children? "

 Steve S wrote on June 1, 2007 2:39 pm:
" What are they hiding? "

 Steve wrote on June 1, 2007 2:40 pm:
" When the protest was first announced, I wondered "why bother?" Then, then the story about the seminarian appeared and I realized "that's why." Bishop Bruskewitz can pretend the Lincoln Diocese has no need to comply with the sex survey, but the only person he's kidding is himself. "

 Nate wrote on June 1, 2007 2:57 pm:
" Events like these do not make me question my agnosticism one bit. "

 Dominic wrote on June 1, 2007 3:09 pm:
" The Lincoln diocese HAS protective controls in place to protect the laity, which is evidenced by the diocese being virtually unscathed by scandal. Bishop Bruskewitz continues to provide strong and proactive leadership that is recognized nationally. He also provides Fatherly guidance to dissident groups like Call-to-Action and has no obligation to submit his diocese to politically motivated ‘audit’ demands. CTA is an insignificant political fringe group whose views are outside the clear teaching of the Catholic faith. "

 Stephanie wrote on June 1, 2007 3:12 pm:
" Don't blame the church for the few sicko's who hide in the church. The bishop has said that if he finds out that there is a case of abuse he will talk to the preist about it will he sits behide bars. The bishop is an awesome man. He is a beacon for all who love the Catholic church. "

 Needproof wrote on June 1, 2007 3:13 pm:
" I hear the supporters say,"We trust our bishop." So did all of the others all over the USA and look what they got. Coverups and doubletalk. "

 Julie wrote on June 1, 2007 3:14 pm:
" Come now, Steve and Sylvia. The seminary, which is not under the jurisdiction of the Bishop though permitted to function here as long as they behave themselves, is a non-issue when related to this story. Since the seminary is under the jursidiction of the Holy See, they wouldn't even be asked to participate in the so called"sex survey". Yet, it was administrative personnel at the seminary who contacted the authorities with the evidence acquired from the seminarian/student. They policed themselves. Short of making a citizen's arrest and handcuffing the perp I don't know what more you could expect from them in the way of concrete action. "

 Proud Former Catholic wrote on June 1, 2007 3:15 pm:
" Blind sheep led by a secretive bishop. Not my idea of the path to "eternal life". SEvents like these make me oh so glad I left the church and its Dark Age practices. The Catholic church, home to protected pedofiles and many closeted priests. Such hypocrsy! "

 Glad to be gone wrote on June 1, 2007 3:30 pm:
" I should have said "C'mon Sylvia" makes a good point. "

 Nice! wrote on June 1, 2007 3:40 pm:
" Way to drag the children into this! If you want to counter protest sexual subjects why dont you leave the kids at home! Thats exactly why I dont believe any of these false religons or anybodys religons. If you cant see we are from apes then have fun leave everything to the church. These people are so holy they feel they can park up and down sheridan blvd in the no parking zones. "

 ashamed wrote on June 1, 2007 3:54 pm:
" The bishop is nothing but a media hound who loves nothing more than to call attention to himself. He's stuck in the pre Vatican II past where pedophiles were moved from parish to parish and mass was conducted in a dead language. The Catholics of the Lincoln diocese deserve better than this.- "

 John Smith wrote on June 1, 2007 4:14 pm:
" Makes ya wonder if they got something to hide "

 Bishop is not a media hound wrote on June 1, 2007 4:21 pm:
" He didn't ask for any of this -- Call to Action did. They're the media hounds. And I agree with what was said above. The seminarian in question was arrested and turned in by seminary administrators immediately. His relationship with the seminary is over. He will not be a priest, he will not be hidden or shuffled around so he can prey on kids. I can't believe people are simply ignoring that fact! "

 sheep wrote on June 1, 2007 4:22 pm:
" I trust his judgment. And the audit is voluntary. I was one of the supporters there for Bruskewitz and we were also praying for the lost sheep to come back to the Faith. "

 Proud Former Lutheran wrote on June 1, 2007 4:54 pm:
" The Catholic church is not a pick and choose religion. Dark Age practices? Those would be Christ's teachings. I am from a small town where 3 Lutheran teachers were busted. These kinds of things happen in all churches - not just Catholic. People hate winners. If events like this don't make you question agnosticism, then you wouldn't have posted on here. "

 irony wrote on June 1, 2007 4:55 pm:
" How ironic that as CTA complains about an audit, policies that Bishop Bruskewitz advocated for resulted in an arrest for possession of materials. And still people make accusations of "coverups and secrecy." "

 as wrote on June 1, 2007 5:05 pm:
" The bishop is a true attention seeker who wants everyone to pay attention to him & praise him. Also everything that he does & the decisions he makes points to an unwillingness to even recognize the existence of Vatican II. What's beyond scary is that he is also pursuasive & charismatic enough to where many of the Catholic faith willingly follow & defend him. Read your Bible & learn the history & essence of your faith, folks. It's not all about obedience & following rules. That alone will not get you in to heaven. It's past time that Lincoln Catholics stand up to this man.... "

 abby wrote on June 1, 2007 5:53 pm:
" It sure looks like the bishop has something to hide. "

 abby wrote on June 1, 2007 6:03 pm:
" The free of scandal comment is as blinded as the followers of a man who hides behind the church and does not participate in an annual sex abuse audit. Its like refusing to comply with an alcohol test when pulled over for suspicious driving. There is a reason why the sex audits are being done. Why would you refuse if you have nothing to hide? "

 Facts are stubborn things wrote on June 1, 2007 6:14 pm:
" The Catholic Church in the diocese of Lincoln - unlike in any other place in the country - is fluorishing. Can you name any other places in the US where seminaries, schools, and churches are being built? Yet Lincoln is expected to change?! I think the rest of the country ought to do what Lincoln is doing. You'll note all of nine (9) supporters showed up for this fringe splinter group. The Bishop of Lincoln is supported by energetic, happy, Catholics seeking to follow the path of Jesus Christ. Such people through the centuries have been ridiculed and persecuted. Nothing new...but in Lincoln there are a lot of them. "

 Free Spirit wrote on June 1, 2007 6:43 pm:
" Lutherans (ELCS) and Episcopalians believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine. "

 Hank wrote on June 1, 2007 6:56 pm:
" Another bad example of today's industrialized religion. Ick. "

 Arkie wrote on June 1, 2007 7:08 pm:
" I'm so happy my ancestors left the Czech Republic to escape the Roman Catholic Church and the German rulers. "

 Mary M. wrote on June 1, 2007 11:35 pm:
" When you are Catholic...You follow all the rules of the Catholic Church whether you agree fully with them or not. If you have a question or problem, talk it out with your pastor or anyone in a position who can help solve the dilemma This is our faith and what we believe in and follow. The Catholic Faith is not a Salad Bar where you can go through and pick and choose what you do or do not like!! When you break the Commandments you may go to Confession and ask God's forgiveness and then try to follow in Jesus's footsteps. If you cannot find a solution, try praying about it. Maybe if all else fails, try to put it in the hands of God. I will be praying for the people belonging to Call To Action. Remember...God is always there with his open arms waiting for you. "

 sp wrote on June 1, 2007 11:36 pm:
" you know, I was recently pondering my falling away from the Catholic Church over 14 years ago, and thinking about coming back. Now I remember why I drifted away to begin with. It speaks volumes that the bishop refuses to participate in the audit. What harm would it do to participate? What speaks even louder is the fact that Lincoln is the only diocese not willing to participate ..in the country?? Sad. "

 NERC wrote on June 2, 2007 4:42 am:
" I'm glad the Catholic Church has atleast one good Bishop left who is keeping to Church law, doctrine, dogma, ect... Unlike the liberal Bishops who are destroying the Church. How you ask? By listing to the people and doing what the people want, not the people doing what the Church teaches. IE... Call To Action, want Homosexual ministers and allow homosexual acts(Bible says NO homosexuality), women minister(Bible says NO women leaders in the church). I can go on and on, so you people(protestants) should READ your Bibles word for word and not skip and/or pick and choose what YOU want to believe "

 spare me wrote on June 2, 2007 6:29 am:
" Any other institution that knowingly and systematically sheltered child predators and molesters in its midst for years, believing it far more important to protect itself ad its leadership than it did the children and families it claimed to exist for, would be out of business today, properly shunned by an outraged public whose trust it betrayed on the most fundamental level. That the Catholic Church that I grew up in still operates indicates only how successfully it manages to ingrain itself into our psyches with fear when we are young, making it very difficult for us to think about about it rationally thereafter. That the church still claims to have moral authority is a laughable insult to any thinking person, and for Bruskewitz to insist that as a Catholic bishop he's beyond reproach is like a bad Saturday Night Live skit. The church deserves nothing but prolonged and unceasing contempt. "

 Steve wrote on June 2, 2007 6:55 am:
" I find it concerning that the Bishop would resort to excommunication in dealing with CTA members. The Church is not a pick and choose religion, in matters of doctrine...but there is no moral teaching that is an absolute (look it up in the CCC). I do not personally agree with everything CTA promotes, but I do believe OPEN DIALOGUE goes a lot further than condemnation. Thats how Christ did it! Isn't our religion all about following him? "

 Concerned. wrote on June 2, 2007 7:44 am:
" Why does Lincoln feel their Parish is above all others? It is the only one in the country who refuses to let women be a valuable part in church. They feel they alone should be judge and jury over those in the priesthood who harm innocent children. The Lincoln Parish speaks about the Bishop as though he is God himself. He is a man... he is making mistakes... and those of you who blindly follow him should be ashamed. "

 Robert wrote on June 2, 2007 8:07 am:
" The bishop has a right to do what he is doing. The commission holds no authority over bishops. "

 Robert wrote on June 2, 2007 8:16 am:
" THERE IS NO COVERUP! Non-Catholics may not be aware of this but the commission set up for the sex abuse "governance" holds no authority over bishops. Bishops jumped on board only because of the media attention so they could say they were doing something. Bishop Bruskewitz elected not to take part in their survey and holds every right to do what he did. Members of this board appear to be pro-abortion and hold other positions that are counter to Catholic teaching. He has good policies in place in this diocese and doesn't need to be policed by an outside group with another agenda. Anyone who truly knows the Bishop would know that he would have immediately worked with the board if it was truly on the up and up. He was one of the only, if not the only one, that publically stated the pedophile issues are issues of homosexuality in the priesthood. Bishops stayed away from his statement and didn't support it... So, how does one mesh that statement with a purported coverup when his actions show he is not afraid to state/do things? "

 Mark wrote on June 2, 2007 8:58 am:
" For a religion that has had more than their share of pedofilies in their ranks, this sex abuse audit seems appropriate. What do they have to hide if nothing is amiss? Staging rally's doesn't answer the question of, is something really going on here, or not? The good bishop's actions in this case seem to say otherwise. "

 JEN wrote on June 2, 2007 10:19 am:
" I could read my bible word for word, but how do I know who's words they are? The bible was revised so many times by different kings and religious leaders. There are many different versions of the bible. How are we to know which is the "correct way?" "

 Are you really Lutheran? wrote on June 2, 2007 10:26 am:
" My post is directed at a number of posters who critize Roman Catholicism and give thankfulness to being "Lutheran." I have several questions for you: (1) Doesn't this sound at least a little like the prayer of the Pharisee ("I thank you Father, that I am not like them.)? (2) Are you really Lutheran? Do you hold to the Lutheran Confessions, which profess the Lutheran teachings IN ACCORDANCE WITH HOLY SCRIPTURE? Are you thankful for the correct doctrine of Sola Fida, Sola Gratia, Sola Scriptura (salvation by faith, grace, and scripture alone). Don't be thankful because you think the Lutheran Church has a better public image than Rome (all churches are subject to scandful because they are full of sinners), be thankful that you can depend on Christ alone as your Saviour, through faith, given to you by the Holy Spirit, apart from works. (3) If you're truly Lutheran, you'll find that you have much more in common with Bishop Bruskewitz than with most modern-day evangelicals, even with our differences in regards to the doctrines of Mary, original sin, and free will as it relates to our salvation. "

 RE: FACTS ARE STUBBORN THINGS wrote on June 2, 2007 11:47 am:
" Your elitist claims about the Catholic Church in Lincoln sound a lot like what happened in Steubenville, OH back in the early 90's. I was a part of that, "energetic, happy, Catholics seeking to follow the path of Jesus Christ." I was a young man then and trusted my ultra-orthodox, nationally renowned Catholic Priests. But they held themselves higher than our local bishop, whom they used to bring in non-catholic, spiritually and mentally abusive teachings from other groups. Bruskewitz is just doing the same thing all over again. His "energetic, happy, Catholics seeking to follow the path of Jesus Christ" are just people who have found someone to do their thinking for them, and whom they would follow right or wrong right into hell. I had no mind of my own back then - I thought my spiritual leaders/catholic priests- new better. I was wrong. They are just human. And someday, after Bruskewitz comes down in flames, they'll find out the same thing I did. "

 E Jr wrote on June 2, 2007 2:32 pm:
" Is it any wonder why our diocese is the laughing stock of the country? Catholics all over the country alternative laugh at or are embarrassed by what happens in Lincoln, Nebraska. Not to mention the Protestants.... "

 Christy wrote on June 2, 2007 3:28 pm:
" The Lincoln Diocese is NOT the laughing stock of the country! We are one of the top 3 diocese in America who is closest to the true doctrine teachings. We do not believe in having girls participate in the mass, as Jesus believed that women are the ones who walk in His Mother's steps. We (women) are there to support the church, and to show through our example how to be there for our priests and traditions. We are on the boards that make decisions for the church, and our opinions are valued. We have been a traditional diocese since Bishop Flavin, and we have continued to grow and flourish through Bishop Bruskewitz. We have expanded our schools system, and our attendance. And we have done this because of Bishop Bruskewitz's wonderful guidance. And the fact that you are bashing him and using him as an excuse for "being glad to have left the church" is sad. Sad for you, and you are in our prayers. "

 hello wrote on June 2, 2007 3:48 pm:
" The bishop has nothing to do with the seminary outside of Denton. There is no association. The seminary is associated with the Vatican. "

 Nasako M. W-M. wrote on June 2, 2007 4:36 pm:
" Catholics, like Call to Actions must keep in mind what Jesus Christ told Peter the very first pope of the Catholic Church (Read Matthew 16: 18-19). Jesus wants His Church to have laws and rules for the good of the people. If you are parents, you should know how important it is to have laws and rules. Parents shouldn't let their children running wild like everything is safe in this world; Why shouldn't the Church? The Church needs to protect her children. Spiritual harm is worst than physical harm. Plus, what is the purpose of the Church? To lead and quide us to heaven! Things like homosexual and gay marriages, contraception, abortions, etc. go against the teachings of Jesus Christ. God made a man and woman (Adam and Eve) to start the human race. He didn't make two women or two men. If he did, all of us wouldn't be here. He told Adam and Eve to be fertile and multiply; he didn't hand them boxes of artificial birth-control devices to keep them from having children. Instead, he made Eve with two different cycles-fertile and infertile. The Church teaches Natural Family Planning which is God's way (not the world's way) of spacing children. Natural Family Planning can be used whenever a married couple has a good reason to space their children as they should or postpone pregnacies due to health reasons. God wants us to have faith in divine providence not worrying about what will happen next, etc. for this is not good for us physically, psychologically, and spiritually. This is how people get stressed out and depressed. Some even committed mortal and deadly sins like suicide as a result of being depressed or over-whelmed with the demands and problems of life. Abortion and the abuse of the gifts of sexuality have deadly consequences. In many parts of the world, women are being used for sexual pleasure and not being respected for who they are--an image of God and someone needed by society, someone with the potential to bring a new life and soul into this world and eventually into heaven! I personally don't want my daughter to be an alter girl. I don't want to give her to wrong impression that she can be a priest someday because she won't. Jesus is not a woman. Jesus is the model for the priesthood. There are nuns who are giving up their lives for the sake of the kingdom of God like the priests are doing. These faithful souls follow the example of the holy women in the Bible like the Blessed Mother herself. They are also following the holiness of our Lord. The Church offers a place for both genders in the consecrated religious life; yet, others like the Call To Action, wants women to be priests and girls serve at the altar. Why? Because they wanted to see how far they can push Church's authority like Bishop Bruskewitz. They don't want to obey him. This rebellious attitude does not belong in the Catholic Church. It goes against magisterial teachings and laws of the Catholic Church. Catholics must obey their bishops given to them by Jesus Christ Himself. Parents must teach and educate their children to honor, respect, and love their bishops. If the children don't have any love and reverence for their bishops and the pope of the Catholic Church, then they won't have any appreciation of their parish priests and the preisthood in general. In fact, they won't have no idea of how important the consecrated priesthood and religious life is, and will fail to see the importance of eternal life. Things of this world are all that would matter to them. A nation has rules, laws, and teachings; a state has laws, rules, and teachings; parents have rules, laws, and teachings; why can't the Catholic Church have laws, rules, and teachings? From the very moment Jesus founded His Church on Saint Peter (Matthew 16: 18-19), He commanded that this Church has magisterial teachings "I give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" were Jesus words to Peter, the rock on which the Catholic Church is built on with the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ! "

 Hello wrote on June 2, 2007 4:41 pm:
" Well thats what the folks at that Chancellory in Lincoln are wanting everyone to believe about now, but it isn't true. This Bishop INVITED those people here. He blessed their cornertone. They function in the Diocese of Lincoln ONLY WITH THE BISHOPS PERMISSION. So while they may answer to the Holy See (some 7000 miles away), they are only in Lincoln because Bruskewitz invited them and allows them to continue there. (You can read all of this yourself at www.fssp.org/en/seminaireD.htm) "

 Acee wrote on June 2, 2007 4:53 pm:
" Call to Action members have been excommunicated by the Bishop. They are no longer members of the Roman Catholic Church no matter what they say or believe. Any church has the right to take disciplinary action against its members if they behave in ways contrary to their teaching. This is not just a Catholic practice. Indian Hills did it years ago, Lutheran Churches do it on rare occasion, it just doesn't get bashed the way Catholic practices do. I am not a Catholic nor have I ever been, mainly because of the Lincoln Diocese teachings to my children in cathecism. (The 92 questions used in the 90's) But, I will say that it is the Church's teachings, and I can agree and join, or disagree and move on. I am a Missouri Synod Lutheran and would fully expect to be excommunicated by my church if I behaved as badly as CTA members do. Picketting is not an answer. You have been excommunicated. You can repent and rejoin your former Church, move elsewhere where there is a more liberal (and probably less Roman Catholic) bishop, or join a different denomination and whine about what is wrong with it. "

 Riley wrote on June 2, 2007 5:03 pm:
" Mrs Pokorna is quoted as saying “We are the church, and it is important that the voices of the faithful who are concerned about the children of the diocese are heard”. However, if she lives in the Lincoln Diocese then she is not the Church because she has been excommunicated. Just like Tom Daschele was in South Dakota for supporting things not of the Church. It she doesn't live in the Lincoln Diocese she needs to go home be pleased with her own Diocese's shortcomings. She is no better than the group from Wichita that has been picketing funerals of our war heros. "

 Debra wrote on June 2, 2007 8:02 pm:
" I honestly can't understand why anyone would oppose an action that would ensure that each diocese is complying with efforts to prevent abuse. "

 Andy wrote on June 2, 2007 8:16 pm:
" Bishop Bruskewitz decline to participate in the AUDITS is very ALARMING to me & many other's,specially his follower's & supporter's of him are trouble ling,because it is showing how their judgement is CLOUDED OVER by their beleif's of REALITY, yor know real life. isn't it his responsibility to let the public know,HOW & WHAT & WHY the reason it is working with his methods,I think the ABUSED DESERVE AN ANSWER,WHETHER YOU ARE A BELEIVER OF FAITH OR NOT it is Fabian Bruskelwitz and his supporters Duty to help all children, as he and the rest already knows, I am just wondering if HE and HIS FOLLOWERS are worried or scared about what the AUDIT MIGHT FIND. it's a theory, it can go both way's, RIGHT OR WRONG, the TRUTH WILL COME OUT. "

 N M W-Madsen wrote on June 2, 2007 10:21 pm:
" The audit has nothing to do with teaching parents, pastors, child-care providers, family members (where most of these children abuses are found), and those in authority how and ways to protect children. As a matter of fact, certain individuals who are involved in the audit are Catholics who resent the teachings of the Church on important issues relating to the safety of children-both born and unborn, such as abortion, contraception, etc. How can they faithfully and genuinely dedicate themselves to protect children that are already born if they don't care about those still in the womb who has no voice but ours? To use or to support the use of contraception belittled the Christian faith in God's divine providence. God has a plan for every child even before He puts that child in the womb (Jer. 1:5). Why do we doubt His wisdom and plans by keeping the child from coming into existence or destroy the child's life and future already planned out by God? Plus, contraception has devastating consequences like breast cancer, cervical cancer, etc. Even worse, some contraception devices kill the tiny child in the womb. I wouldn't want to participate in an audit with unfaithful individuals who pretend to care, yet, it is all an act. It is a waste of time. Bishop Brukewitz has a plan to protect children that has already been existed and working well, even before the formation of the audit. He is a man of God who loves and cares for children and their families. If you doubt him, read his two books, "A Shepherd Speaks" and "The Catholic Church: Jesus Christ Present in the World." You will learn a lot about this holy man who is being accused of not caring for children, etc. I have seen him lovingly interact with children whenever they are around him or with him. I have also read articles he has written concerning the safety of children, especially their spiritual safety, the most important thing parents can do for their children. We need to teach ways to protect children, Bishop Bruskewitz has long been doing that, even before the audit came out. During his pontificate as a bishop of Lincoln, there has never been a case of child sexual abuse found among his preists. He is very holy, vigilant, and good man with a deep prayer life. He cares for the spiritual well-being of his flock that includes the children of the diocese of Lincoln! "

 The Perfect Reason wrote on June 3, 2007 8:55 am:
" The recent discovery of a pedophile hiding out at the "traditional" seminary in Denton is EXACTLY why this bishop needs to participate in the sex abuse audit. This seminary is not a mainstream Catholic operation. Many Bishops would never allow such a group to operate in their diocese, as they essentially want to roll back the clock to 1962 (Vatican I) and believe that most of what happened in the church after that date is basically a heresy. Fabian Bruskewitz INVITED these people here. They cannot continue in Lincoln without the his BLESSING AND PERMISSION. To say there is no connection between the Diocese and that Seminary is just a bald faced lie. Maybe they "answer" to the Holy See, but they couldn't go on another day in the Diocese of Lincoln without the support of Fabian Bruskewitz. "

 chris wrote on June 3, 2007 2:33 pm:
" Doesn't the catholic church have a church newsletter. I find it ludicrous you all muddy up a public newspaper with the dirt of the church!! "

 Faithful Catholic wrote on June 3, 2007 3:39 pm:
" I don't understand why some people have such a difficult time with certain teachings of the Catholic Church. Everything that Call to Action has a problem with could be resolved by reading the Bible. For example, why does the Church not ordain women? Because Jesus' disciples were all men. The Church does not have the authority to change over 2000 years of tradition and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Abortion is another issue that is clearly explained when you look at the 10 commandments. What is number 5, people? That's right. Though shalt not kill. Also, why does everybody blame the Church for the actions of one man. The Church as a whole is not responsible for one man's pedophilic problems, but everybody seems to think the Church is evil because of one man's actions. Also, pedophilia happens in protestant churches and other churches as well. Bishop Bruskewitz has done a phenomenal job as Bishop of the Diocese of Lincoln. There is a far more effective way to deal with the protection of children. The seminarians in this diocese have to go through a great deal of screening before they are even allowed to enter the seminary. They have to go through interview and psychological testing and have their computers monitored very closely while in the seminary. What would and audit show? It's not manditory, so if it isn't mandated by law, why should the diocese have to go through the unnecessary process? Our Lady of Guadalupe is not under the jurisdiction of the diocese; they answer to the Vatican. What happened there was in no way the fault of Bishop Bruskewitz. I'll pray for all you haters that your hearts will be opened to love and compassion and that our Lord will have mercy on you for your harsh criticism of a man who is doing the job he was called to do. "

 Nasako M. W-Madsen wrote on June 3, 2007 4:38 pm:
" What happened at the seminary in Denton is a good example of how the Diocese of Lincoln doesn't need to participate in the sexual audit. I understand the audit concerns sexual reports, etc. within the Church. Yes, the Diocese of Lincoln gave the Guadalupe Seminary the permission to function here. Through the guardianship of the Diocese of Lincoln, even without its participation in this famous audit (CTA uses as their excuse to bash this Holy Bishop--CTA is an organization known as rebellious against the teachings of the Catholic Church. This group is formed by certain individuals who were once priests and nuns but couldn't make it. They should be happy with the vocation they chose now, obey Church teachings and laws, and be at peace in their hearts.) the seminarian is now being arrested, investigated, etc. In other words, the children in the Diocese of Lincoln are not being sexually molested by this seminarian, are they? The Seminarian in now in jail and will never become a priest! He will never sexually abuse any of the children in the Lincoln Diocese. He is gone! His life as a seminarian and future priest is now over. Under the guardianship of the Diocese of Lincoln, together with the Holy See, this particular seminarian has been removed and out of the Diocese of Lincoln. Whatever the Diocese of Lincoln does to protect the children is working and has always been. This is all done, without its participation in the audit! Get it? The audit is not a life-saving method. The Diocese of Lincoln can find this perpetrators without the audit. Plus, the audit is not a law. Any bishop has a right to refuse to participate in it. This is also a good lesson for parents who let their children and youth use the my space website, etc. These children put their pictures on the internet. Somehow, others get a hold of these pictures and does something to them to make these children look half naked, if not totally naked in these pictures. Children ponography is everywhere because of the society we live in. Together with the Church, parents, schools, child-care centers, and society in general, must be taught ways to safeguard and protect children. "

 Nasako W-Madsen wrote on June 3, 2007 8:50 pm:
" I'm glad the Lincoln Journal Star gave me the opportunity to share the "Truth" with the members of Call To Actions and both Catholics and Non-Catholics who question the magisterial teachings of the Catholic Church. First of read Matthew 16: 18-19 in the New Testament. The Catholic Church is the only Church founded by Christ. Saint Peter was the very first pope of this Church. Jesus told him as we read in Matthew 16: 18-19 that He wants this Church to have rules, laws, and teachings for the good of the people. "I give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16: 19). From Saint Peter to Pope Benedict XVI, there has been 265 popes handing on these keys in an un-broken chain for these last 2,000 years of the Church. The Catholic Church wrote the Bible. You can't separate the Bible from the Catholic Church. The Bible is a fruit of the Catholic Church through the work of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is read and preached at every Mass, daily. You can't say Catholics don't know or don't read (or are not familiar with) the Bible. In addition, to that, Catholics nurture themselves with the real Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist! (Read John chapter 6). Jesus gave up His Life on the Cross to become our Spiritual Food in the Holy Eucharist so that we may have Life with Him. He longs to have a relationship with us. Holy Communion is the climax of the Mass where we unite ourselves to our Lord and allow Him to nurture us in holiness, and give us the strength we need to live a virtuous life. No one but an ordained Catholic priest, bishop, and the pope has the supernatural power to change bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is done through the supernatural authority given to the Church by Jesus Christ Himself-the keys to bind and loose things of the earth in union with those of heaven. Centuries after centuries, many holy men and women, both Cathoics and "Truth-searching" Protestants witness to the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist, led to their conversion. (Read Church History, especially the Forefathers to educate you more on the "Truth" found in the authoritive and magisterial teachings of the Catholic Church). Our Lord's crucifixion is an open book of God's merciful love for all mankind! Centuries after centuries, the Catholic Church experienced what Jesus described as "the gates of the netherworld" (Matthew 16: 18), yet, amazingly survived it all! just as Jesus foretold. This Church is like a wounded, yet, courageous army in a battlefield; or a ship that survived years of attacks of tsunamies, typhoons, earthquakes, and storms,etc. at sea. Amidst all these attacks, inside out and outside in, she, this ship (this Church of Jesus Christ-The One Holy Catholic Church), sails on, marked with the blood of her martyrs! This is my hope, this is our hope as Catholics! As for Bishop Bruskewitz, congratulations for being a martyr (un-bloody) for the Church you dearly love. We love you too and thank you for the great example you set for us all in the Catholic Church! "

 Malfoy wrote on June 3, 2007 9:24 pm:
" Archbishop Bruskewitz is the Ernie Chambers of Catholicism: He's not popular with people that don't know the law and want the feel-good answers that mean nothing. Those that know him love him for his courage and conviction. "

 ash wrote on June 3, 2007 11:30 pm:
" I only deal with reality, you know,real life,kids need all the protection they can get,at any cost,cause they are worth it,and they need to be told that. no religion can be trusted with children period, MY THEORY or SAYIING HAS ALWAYS BEEN, NO RELIGION BETTER WORLD . "

 Larry wrote on June 4, 2007 8:29 am:
" Once upon a time...so many people wasting so much time on such stuff! "

 KSee wrote on June 4, 2007 12:27 pm:
" Makes me very glad I left the Diocese of Lincoln and live and participate in an archdiocese that isn't nearly as backwards as Lincoln is...and this is not a 'pick and choose' attitude. I am not a member of CTA and I disagree with many of the things they believe...BUT, they asked a simple question, "Why aren't you complying?" All the good bishop had to do was take the petition, say 'thanks' and trash it...no controversy, no media, nothing. INSTEAD, he threatens to arrest people who disagree with him. If he's such a great man as others profess, why not turn the other cheek? Jesus did. Bishop Bruskewitz is an embarrassment. Thank the Lord I'm not in his diocese, I'd probably be excommunicated! "

 Boanerges wrote on June 4, 2007 12:45 pm:
" Considering we come from the "compliant" diocese of Grand Island, just to the west and north of Lincoln's, I have full and complete confidence in Bishop Bruskewitz's ability to handle this "abuse crisis". It's amazing how orthodoxy keeps you in the Truth and no special diocesan, USCCB program, or anything else for that matter, is required. Viva Christo Rey! Viva Bruskewitz Obisbo! AMDG Boanerges "

 as wrote on June 4, 2007 1:53 pm:
" The idea that Bruskewicz is a martyr would be laughable if the conviction behind the statement wasn't so completely sad. As a cradle Catholic who has experienced the faith in several different geographic areas, I find the blind faith of lifelong Lincoln Diocese believers chilling & scary. Their faith is securely grounded not in the Word or their God but in a man who lives over on Sheridan Blvd. They firmly believe that by following what he says & doing as he requires will gain them access to everlasting life. That blind faith can only lead to a downfall more devastating than imagined. For those of you who have been quoting various passages from the Bible to support the rules of the Diocese, remember who the Bible was originally directed at and the time periods it was written in. For those of you attempting to back up practices and decisions by quoting pre-Vatican 2 decisions & standards, please remember that the Papal history of the church is one that has been scarred with as many or more scandals than that big white house on Pennsylvannia Avenue. For those of you who mistakenly refer to the bishop as an 'Archbishop' remember that in the political makeup of the Church, he is a 'bishop' not an Archbishop (reserved for larger dioceses) or a Cardinal. For those of you who praise his narrow-mindedness in decisions & declarations, remember that it is only by learning that we are truly able to defend what we believe. Not in hiding behind a robe or a pulpit & declaring books & ideas forbidden. No, I'm not saying that CTA has the answers as I don't believe in women priests however at least others are willing to talk about issues and things that need to be discussed in the church rather than bury their heads in the sand. "

 Been There Done That wrote on June 4, 2007 5:28 pm:
" It will be interesting to watch who the Church picks to replace Bruskewitz when his time in Lincoln is up. One obvious skill they will have to possess is the are of "de-programming", as many faithful Lincolnite Catholics have lost or given up the ability to think things through with the brain the Almighty supplied. "

 manualman wrote on June 5, 2007 10:52 am:
" Fascinating! Not one commentor noted how upside down this controversy is! There are dozens of bishops around the country who abrogated their duty for YEARS and ignored or delegated away the responsibility for dealing with sexual predators who had infiltrated the priesthood. Where does CTA show up to protest? At one of the VERY FEW diocese where the bishop has the proven record of leadership, vigilance and responsibility to actually prevent sexual abuse of children. This bishop has taken personal responsibility for ensuring the sanctity of the priesthood instead of delegating it away to a comittee reviewed by an audit group thousands of miles away! The fact that this seminarian was caught BEFORE he ws ordained is exhibit A that Lincon's process works. The bureaucratic committee review and audit is farce designed for public relations, not top effectiveness. CTA OUGHT to be protesting in the diocese where the bishops failed for many years to do their own duty and STILL are failing to do it by passing the buck to others to d the bishop's job. The untold tragedy of the priest abuse scandal is that it is a NOT a priest abuse scandal. It is a universal cultural scandal!!! Teachers, ministers, coaches, counselors, tutors, babysitters... Abusers are out there and come in all forms and shapes. Parents must not trust ANYONE due merely to their position. Trust comes from relationship, not position and it must take time to establish. "

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