Weakland makes public apology
for 'my sinfulness'

ACT OF CONTRITION -- Former Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland kneels in Mater Christi Chapel at Cousins Center in St. Francis as about 400 Milwaukee Archdiocese Catholics extend their hands toward him in blessing May 31. Proclaiming the blessing, standing before Weakland, is Deacon Dean Collins of Mother of Good Counsel Parish, Milwaukee. Holding the prayer book is Dean Daniels, director of the archdiocesan Office for Prayer and Worship. (Photo by Allen Fredrickson)

ST. FRANCIS -- Wearing a simple white alb, crimson zucchetto, his favorite pectoral cross and purple stole of penance, retired Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland used carefully chosen words and visible acts of contrition during a "Miserere" prayer service in the Mater Christi Chapel at the Cousins Center last Friday.

During a seven-minute homily delivered in somber, sometimes faltering tones, a gaunt Weakland apologized five times. Once he finished speaking, the clearly grief-stricken gathering of 400 rose in sustained applause while their former archbishop knelt before them, shoulders hunched, hands shaking.

Acknowledging that there can be "no healing" for the church and the Catholic community "unless it is based on truth," Weakland began by saying, "I come before you today to apologize and beg forgiveness.... I apologize to all the faithful of this archdiocese which I love so much, to all its people and clergy, for the scandal that has occurred because of my sinfulness."

Weakland also apologized "for any harm done" to Paul Marcoux. On May 23 Marcoux went public with accusations of sexual abuse by Weakland in the late 1970s, while Marcoux was in his early 30s attending graduate courses at Milwaukee's Marquette University. Marcoux said he was paid $450,000 by the Milwaukee Archdiocese in 1998 to remain quiet about the abuse, and produced a letter written to him in 1980 in which Weakland discussed the "pain of deep love" in their relationship.

In a public statement issued on the day Marcoux's allegations broke, Weakland denied Marcoux's claim, saying he had "never abused anyone." While Weakland's apology did not go into detail other than to pinpoint a 1979 timeframe, he said, "I acknowledge and fully accept my responsibility for the inappropriate nature of my relationship with Mr. Paul Marcoux."

Weakland said that, at the time, he "did not understand" his responsibility.

The 75-year-old archbishop, whose request to retire was accepted by the Vatican May 24 -- the day following first news reports on the relationship -- also said since that time he has "come to see and understand the way in which the power of the Roman collar can work in such relationships, and even more so, a bishop's miter."

Instead of linking the financial payment to the relationship, however, Weakland pointed out in his apology that he "understood the settlement agreement in question as compensation for Paul Marcoux because of the claim that I had interfered with his ability to earn income."

In the 1998 settlement agreement between Marcoux, Weakland and the Milwaukee Archdiocese, Marcoux's "claims against the archdiocese and the archbishop" include, "without limitation, intentional interference with contractual relations, breach of fiduciary duty and trust; reckless hiring, retention, supervision, and training; sexual assault and battery; and intentional infliction of emotional distress."

The contractual reference in the settlement agreement reportedly relates to Marcoux's efforts to gain funding for his fledgling Christodrama video business from various Catholic institutions and dioceses which might have been influenced in some way by Weakland. The settlement agreement was negotiated by Matthew J. Flynn, archdiocesan legal counsel from the Milwaukee firm of Quarles & Brady, and Brent D. Tyler, on Marcoux's behalf. Flynn has declined repeated requests for interviews from all media.

Asked about the context of the settlement, Jerry Topczewski, archdiocesan spokesman said, "When you have two parties who disagree with the facts of the situation, settlement is the obvious legal course. Certainly mounting attorneys' fees were involved -- we have to rely on legal counsel in these types of cases and many others. Certainly there was an added component here of publicity and scandal, to the archbishop personally and affecting the church as a whole, and then one of the main issues became the allegation that the archbishop had interfered with Marcoux's ability to gain money to fund Christodrama. All the items in the settlement are there so he (Marcoux) could not re-approach the archdiocese or the archbishop on any of the issues."

In his apology, Weakland conceded "there is understandable concern" about the payment, and, in hindsight, it has "the appearance of 'hush money.'" He noted that the payment did not come from the annual Catholic Stewardship Appeal fund raising or from "any diocesan funds designated for charitable or pastoral work."

"Perhaps I should have handled this situation differently," Weakland said. "If I had done so, there would still have been sizable costs to the church, but at least it would have been out in the open. One of my fears in not accepting the settlement was the prospect of scandal and embarrassment for myself and for the church. For that lack of courage, I apologize."

In the most stunning revelation of the apology, Weakland said he had erred in the assertion made in his first public statement on the settlement in saying his earnings during 25 years as archbishop, from writing, speeches and other honoraria "far exceed any settlement amount."

"To my continued embarrassment, I now am told that is not true," he admitted.

In a statement released after the service, the archdiocese said the stipends, honoraria, and gifts it has received because of Weakland's work total $148,928.82. That amount has earned $47,794.38 in interest over the years, for a total of $196,723 since June 30, 1978 -- Weakland's first fiscal year in office -- and is maintained in a separate, interest-bearing account, according to the statement.

To make restitution, Weakland pledged in his "remaining years" to "contribute to the archdiocese whatever I can, and of course, the archdiocese will receive whatever effects I own on my death."

Following the service, Weakland returned to the seclusion of his residence on the Saint Francis Seminary grounds. It was not clear whether Weakland will proceed with plans to move into an apartment prepared for his retirement at the Cousins Center.

Weakland described his feelings "at this moment" as "remorse, contrition, shame and emptiness," also noting that "much self-pity and pride remain." He contended he "must leave that pride behind."

Focusing on feelings of emptiness, Weakland referenced the writings of St. Therese of Lisieux, who he said wrote that "she wanted to go to God empty-handed. I think I know now personally what she meant.... I have learned how frail my own human nature is, how in need of God's loving embrace I am.... Empty-handed for me now means a willingness to accept my humanity totally, just as Christ accepted that same human nature out of love."

Some attending the service said they came "out of love" for the archbishop as well as for the church as a whole.