Local Catholics React To Abuse Revelations
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Local Catholics react to latest allegations Video by tmj4.com
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SOUTH MILWAUKEE - Dolores and Joseph Wink showed up early for Thursday night's reconciliation service at Divine Mercy Church. Archbishop Jerome Listecki was slated to handle the service and they knew parking spaces would fill up quickly.
They didn't appear at all surprised by the arrival of a television crew asking questions about that morning's New York Times article.
The article alleges that then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger failed to take action after being alerted by then Archbishop Rembert Weakland about an alleged abusive priest named Lawrence Murphy. Ratzinger would later become Pope Benedict XVI.
"I think it's sad when somebody can't defend themselves and they're taken advantage of," said Dolores.
But in the next breath, Dolores expressed shock over the Times' assertion that Weakland was trying to take action. She maintains Weakland was himself a major part of the problem.
"There was just something about him that I just had a feeling of distrust about him all the time," she said with sadness in her voice.
Her husband of nearly 65 years was troubled by the timing of the New York Times allegations.
"Such a long time ago," he said, his voice trailing off for a moment. "Why is it first being brought up again? To stir up trouble in the church or against the church?"
For his part, Archbishop Listecki didn't comment on the latest revelations. Staffers said he was pressed for time as he continues an almost barnstorm tour of Milwaukee area parishes.
Meantime Rose Medrow as willing to forgive anyone who failed to act during Murphy's alleged predatory streak.
"I forgive everybody we all make mistakes," Rose said with a resigned smile. "We're all sinners to a degree.
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