I don’t really think you know what you’re talking about….. First, although it has nothing to do with your basis for the article, Morlino was not transferred here last summer. In fact he’s been here for a few years. Only the first of many mistakes in your article. Are you even Catholic? If so, WHY? You obviously do not believe in the church’s teachings. I’m sure Bishop Morlino doesn’t really care about how he represents the community of Madison, which you seem so worried about. His job is to represent the Catholic church and its teachings which is what he’s doing.

It is interesting how the “comment” directions instruct this writer to keep my “feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.” I would suggest that this column by Dan Rose is certainly not thoughtful nor respectful, but utilizes offensive (unsubstantiated) language and a “full throttle” personal attack upon Bishop Morlino. In fact, I’m quite surprised the BH even published it. It is wrong on every single point. Perhaps after maturing a little in Journalism school, Mr. Rose will learn a few things about Journalistic ethics, libel, etc. On this case, with every single point, he has demonstrated that he has no idea what he is talking about. Just one example: Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, each respectively, on national television (both professed “Catholics”) told national audiences that the Catholic Church, in her official teaching, permits the direct killing of pre-born children. They presumed to speak on behalf of the Church(!). Mr. Rose who is so concerned with the so-called “separation of Church and State” should be incensed that these national officials arrogated to themselves the role of BISHOPS with misinformation on NATIONAL TELEVISION. Bishop Morlino, along with bishops all over the country, understood their duty to correct them for the record. And they would have done this to any official regardless of party. Now, I could go on with about 20 other points, but understand that Mr. Rose is just a freshman and will hone his skills to be a better, more thoughtful journalist as he grows and matures, instead of being a source of misinformation.

I am not catholic, nor even religious, in fact I disagree with Bishop Marlino’s views almost universally. However, this article and its author show a blatant disregard for the mans rights as a religious leader and teacher to preach according to his conscience. Bishop Marlino does not represent the city of Madison, the city is government entity, and as a non-catholic I’ve never associated the two, rather the Bishop represents the catholic community of Madison and more so the greater catholic church and his superiors in it. His views are very similar, and rightly so, to the current pope. If you disagree with him so strongly, do not attend his sermons, go join a different church. If you feel that he and those who follow him are wrong, convince them using good and proper arguments, not condemnation and bigotry.

Ha! Rational Catholicism? I don’t think Catholics themselves believe that.

How can you claim that Morlino’s views make Madison look bad, and not say that the Pope’s views make the world look bad.

First of all I would like to apologize. My statement concerning Morlino’s moving here was incorrect and I should have been more careful.

Second, I should have been more careful with my language. Mitchell, I agree with you, some of my statements concerning Morlino do border on Libel.

Third, yes I am catholic, and being Catholic does not mean that I have to blindly agree with the Church. In fact, that is the main reason I chose to discuss this topic. I truly do feel that regardless of what his job is, Morlino is a presence within the community politics of Madison and that he reflects on the entire Madison community because of this.

Overall, I apologize. In my attempt to relate my opinion, I allowed my emotions to get in the way of my journalism. I will wholeheartedly consider all of your comments and use them to improve my future journalistic attempts.

——-A side note—- Mitchell—- the herald is not at fault for what you perceive as my articles failures (though some of your points may very well be well founded).

I also am not Catholic, but this article was horrible. There is nothing wrong with a Bishop keeping to the doctrine of the Church. The Bishop is not furthering his political agenda, he is staying true to the teachings of the Church. If Church Doctrine says: It is wrong to abort, women cannot be pastors… etc, than as a member of that church, you hold yourself to that doctrine. If you don’t believe in that doctrine, you find a more suitable church. Its all really simple. This article screams arrogance, and I think an apology from the BH for publishing an article like this is in line.

Hear ye Hear ye….calling all those with a bone to pick with their old church….the Badger Hearld wants YOU, to write for us!!

Bishop Morlino spoke at St. Paul’s church on the UW campus yesterday. If this “journalist” wanted to do some real reporting, he could have gone to hear the Bishop speak and then talk to him about his “sexism and bigotry” afterwards. Then Dan would’ve had some legitimate facts to base his claims upon, rather than a bunch of garbage with some accusatory words attached. Which makes me wonder, when did Bishop Morlino say to love gays, women, and religiously different less? The Bishop has consistently followed the Catholic doctrine, which is, as Dan said, to love thy neighbor as thyself. Not once has the Bishop said or acted otherwise, and the mere dismissal of one person due to lack of faith in a Catholic doctrine does not mean that sexism or bigotry is involved.

Yes, I didn’t even notice that he said that Bishop Morlino was transferred here last summer.

Bishop Morlino was, indeed, part of a grassroots campaign to oppose a Madison casino… in 2004. A broad coalition formed to oppose the casino, including people from all political persuasions. In fact it was the progressive near west side that voted it down most convincingly. We are all better off because that grassroots campaign succeeded.

Although I agree with the bishop most of the time, he probably could use better PR skills on occasion and for that reason I doubt he’ll be transferred to Milwaukee. Depending on your perspective, we will likely either be lucky enough to keep him or will likely be “stuck” with him for another 13 years.

Dan Rose�s bigoted anti-Catholic tirade against Bishop Robert Morlino (who was appointed to the See of Madison in 2003, not last summer) and the Roman Catholic Church is extraordinary for a number of reasons. First of all is the almost certain fact that had Rose aimed his ignorant and impotent discharge at any other religious institution or leader his words would never have seen the light of day. It is no small irony that when the column is posted on the Badger Herald website the �related stories� box shows a link to an item from 2003 entitled �The New anti-Catholicism of the Left.� Rose�s ad hominem assault is exhibit one of that most precious of post-modern academic prejudices. That the Badger Herald editors permitted this �guest� to slander a religious leader and duplicitously misrepresent Catholic teaching, even in the name of press freedom, is a disgrace.

Because the Bishop has faithfully represented Catholic teaching (with which Rose apparently disagrees), he is characterized as meddling in politics, stepping over a line that Rose forbids him to cross. But, here�s a question for Mr. Rose: if the Bishop had criticized Speaker Pelosi, or VP Biden because they were racist, or because they advocated the involuntary sterilization of poor people, or because they trafficked in child pornography, would there be the same editorial outcry? All these positions, too, are contrary to Catholic teaching, and indeed a generation ago bishops in the Southern states faced great editorial and public condemnation from narrow-minded bigots like Rose when, in the 1950s and 60s, they spoke out for racial equality, and insisted on integrating Catholic schools. Bishop Joseph Rummel of New Orleans even excommunicated members of his flock for their opposition to racial integration. I suppose those who were excommunicated were, like the martyred Ruth Kolpak, little more than the poor victims of Bishop Rummel�s mean-spirited power grab, as the Bishop tried to use �the Catholic Church to further his own political agenda.� On the other hand, maybe Rose is just the sniveling hypocrite he seems to be, and only objects to religious interference when he disagrees with the teaching of the Church.

Since when is a religious leader no longer free to maintain the traditional teachings of his church and to discipline the members of his flock who publicly contradict those teachings with their words and actions? The dissident Kolpak acknowledged that she did not assent to, nor could she faithfully teach the doctrine of the church. Should the bishop have said, �that�s ok, make up your own theology and we�ll all hold hands and sing Kumbaya?� Pelosi and Biden represent themselves publicly as Catholics and repeatedly and publicly support policies encouraging the slaughter of innocent unborn children. Should the bishop have said, �Oh, that doesn�t matter. We weren�t really serious about that abortion thing anyway?�

The worst of Rose�s slanders, however, is his labeling of Bishop Morlino as a �murderer.� Upon what evidence is this defamation of the bishop�s character and reputation advanced? The fact that the Bishop (along with members of Congress from both parties, business leaders, and other religious and civic leaders) sits on an independent federally-established review board created by Congress to provide oversight of the conduct of the Western Hemisphere Institute is enough for Rose to issue his false and malicious libel. Given the tradition of Catholic social teaching, especially on matters of Just War doctrine, and given Bishop Morlino�s academic expertise in moral theology, and given that Catholics have been among the most outspoken critics of the WHINSEC and its predecessor the SOA, there is hardly a better person who could have been chosen. Of course, none of this matters to Rose whose object is to slander and disparage the bishop. Rose, the very embodiment of self-congratulating, pants-wetting, yellow journalism, offers no evidence at all in support of his outrageous and despicable claim. Indeed, Rose cannot show even by remote implication that the bishop (who has been a committee member only since 2005) has held this position during any period when the graduates of the school were suspected of committing war crimes. By Rose�s standards, members of the current UW Board of Trustees ought to be held responsible � ought to be called �murderers�— for the 1970 bombing of Sterling Hall.

While it is clear that Rose will continue to wallow in his bigoted ignorance, maintaining a degree of hatred which, if directed anywhere but at Catholic targets would not tolerated, it is nevertheless a shame that the Badger Herald has sullied its pages with this filth. The paper should print the evidence to support Rose�s baseless charges, or they should issue a public apology to Bishop Morlino.

Mr. Broussard - please enunciate exactly how Mr. Rose is, as you put it, “wrong on every single point”.

Let me, for your convenience, list the points that Mr. Rose made (with clarifying additions by me where Mr. Rose was insufficiently bold - marked with an asterisk):

1) Bishop Morlino’s dismissal of Ms. Kolpack was an “…unacceptable display of outright sexism and bigotry…”

2) Morlino is using “…the Catholic Church to further his own political agenda.”:

a) Condemning those who support a woman’s right to choose (anathema to current Catholic doctrine), b)* Condemning those who oppose capital punishment (capital punishment supposedly being anathema to the Catholic Church), c) “Morlino is the chairman of the Board of Visitors for the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, a military school in Columbus, Ga. Over 61,000 Latin American soldiers, many whom are notorious for grave human rights violations and murders, have been trained at Morlino�s beloved school. Of course, it seems only logical that the �pro-life� Catholic Church would support a school that teaches people how to kill.”

3) “As citizens of a country that has continuously persecuted other countries for their political and religious connections, it essential that we don�t allow religion to define our choices.” i) “Faith doesn�t have to be blind. In fact, it seems some intelligent thought would be highly therapeutic in the face of the currently glaring hypocrisies.” ii) “As a community, we can reject Morlino and his policies without sinking to his level of hatred and prove we have public morality.”

4) “Finally, remember that Jesus told us to �Love thy neighbor as thyself…�” i) “…unless of course your neighbor is gay, a woman, a scientist, pro-choice or religiously different.” ii) “In that case, follow the Morlino�s example and love them just a little bit less.”

5)* If Bishop Morlino is really “pro-life”, why did he not condemn the Brazilian archibishop, of Recife, and Cardinal Re (sounds like a bad insurance company that’s about to go AIG on us), who both said that child rape is far more acceptable to the Catholic Church than the prospect of a nine year old girl, weighing perhaps 70 pounds, being forced to carry her rapist’s twin fetuses to term - an event which not only would have caused her to have a horribly painful death, but would not have saved the fetuses?

It seems to me that Mr. Rose was far too nice to Bishop Morlino. In my opinion, he, like all those who support him (such as yourself), is a false Christian, and a truly evil servant of Satan, who deserves to be convicted for conspiracy to commit mass rape, mass child molestation, mass murder, and committing mass under false pretenses, and sentenced to life imprisonment in the general population of a maximum security prison, with the population told that he is a mass child molester and a mass rapist.

Finally, remember that Jesus told us to �Love thy neighbor as thyself,� unless of course your neighbor is gay, a woman, a scientist, pro-choice or religiously different. Great line, and I think you really (intentionally or not) hit on what is a deeper issues with most relgions in regard to accepting all as long as they are the same as you, and it really seems like the people who are in fact “Catholic” never actually question what is being taught to them.

Why cant two people who love each other and are the same sex be wed? Is it our place to judge them in the first place? Why is it possible for a woman to run a nation but not a parish? Does it ever occur to anyone that maybe what the vatican is teaching is wrong? (PS, that really any of the Popes are my closest connection to God worries me)

People wonder over why there is a shortage of priests and parishes are being forced to close. I dont.

Dan Rose,

Rather than issuing an apology here, where it can be guaranteed that no more than thirty people have any chance at reading it, why not address your incorrect statements in a way that is as easy to read as the article is. That would make logical sense. However, I’m not so sure you have a logical bone in your body…Please read Mr. Farrell’s comment very carefully, and address some of the lies you freely spewed about the Bishop.

Thank you.

I can assure Dan Rose that whatever he may think he is NOT a Catholic. He might have once been a Catholic, maybe his parents are Catholics, but no Catholic does this to his bishop. If you claim to be Catholic, go to confession. And then in justice repair the damage you’ve done to the bishop.

I would like to begin a petition for a retraction from the Badger Herald. If you agree with me please comment.

“the mere dismissal of one person due to lack of faith in a Catholic doctrine does not mean that sexism or bigotry is involved.”

THE DOCTRINE IS SEXIST. I am continually horrified that people don’t realize this (or rather, refuse to acknowledge it). I personally do not believe that Catholic doctrine was handed down by God. If you do, then you must also believe that God was sexist. There is no way around it. (Oh, I forgot - in order to be a “good Catholic” you must ignore logic and suspend disbelief. How else would they denounce abortion but advocate for war and the death penalty?)

“The fact that the Bishop… sits on an independent federally-established review board created by Congress to provide oversight of the conduct of the Western Hemisphere Institute is enough for Rose to issue his false and malicious libel.”

When did you go to law school, Jim? I’m gonna go out on a limb and say never. This is not libelous. The bishop is affiliated with a military school, which trains killers. This is the purpose of a military school. It does not matter who else is on the board or who established it. Obviously, Rose is not calling the Bishop a murderer - you’d have to be purposely reading offense into his statements to think that. He is merely pointing out several damning facts that seem very un-Catholic for a “beacon of morality” like the Bishop. Kudos to him for taking on a topic that others don’t want to touch.

11:16: “This is not libelous… . Rose is not calling the Bishop a murderer.”

ROSE: “… the actions of a corrupt, MURDERING bishop.”

ROSE: “some of my statements concerning Morlino do border on Libel.”

DEFINITION OF “MURDERING”: “The unlawful killing of one human by another, especially with premeditated malice.”

DEFINITION OF “LIBELOUS”: “containing, constituting, or involving a libel; maliciously defamatory.”

DEFINITION OF “LIBEL”: “defamation by written or printed words.”

DEFINITION OF “MALICIOUSLY”: “full of, characterized by, or showing malice; malevolent; spiteful.”

DEFINITION OF “DEFAMATORY: “containing defamation; injurious to reputation.”

DEFINITION OF “DEFAMATION”: “the act of defaming; false or unjustified injury of the good reputation of another.”

DEFINITION OF FALSE: “uttering or declaring what is untrue.”

DEFINITION OF “UNJUSTIFIED”: “lacking justification or authorization.”

DEFINITION OF “WRONG” See 11:16

DEFINITION OF “BIGOT”: Also see 11:16

If Rose’s stupid column did nothing else, it at least brought some of the other Catholic-haters out from under their rocks. Anti-Catholicism is alive and well in Madison, as it plain to see! We would mind a serious debate on Catholic teaching, but how do you debate people like 7:41 and 11:16 who begin from a stance of absolute blind hatred for an institution and its members they know nothing about? They don’t even get the basics right (Catholics OPPOSE the death penalty — check the Catechism, or the national bishops’ statements. The late Pope and the current Pope both OPPOSED the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Honestly, you don’t even know why you hate Catholics. You just are sure you do. Lucky for you there’s only a billion of us worldwide!

Observation: Rose avows his Catholic history like the late George Carlin did: solely as a tool, to garner credibility for his hateful spew.

Comment: I first met Bob Morlino when I was a freshman at Notre Dame and he was still a Jesuit, visiting ND for a year or so as a scholar in residence. He was a joyful, happy, committed Catholic who embraced life in all its varied dimensions… this shallow screed says nothing about Bob, but volumes about the writer. He presided at the wedding of my older sister to a Jewish man at a Catholic Mass that wove Jewish and Christian traditions together beautifully, to the satisfaction of all who celebrated with us that day. For me, then, the bit about Bob condemning the “religiously different” has a special piquant absurdity. Bob is not a go-along, get-along, careerist type that is all too common throughout any organization, even the Church. So, my condolences to those cafeteria Catholics who wish to pick and choose which aspects of Catholicism they will embrace and wish to have a Bishop who will “understand.” From what I have seen, Bob really believes this stuff and his deep, sincere faith, served by a most lively, perceptive intelligence, will always guide his actions, however uncomfortable the consequences may be. Somehow, I don’t think he’ll be particularly troubled by the calumnies of Mr. Rose, except as any shepherd would be troubled when one of his sheep, through willful, selfish blindness has contrived to abandon the flock and now stands in need of rescue.

Every Bishop has the duty before Christ, who appointed them, to uphold the teachings of the Church. The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ. Gay marriage, abortion, euthanasia, murder, adultery, lying, pornography, hatred, blasphemy, gluttony, and every other sin should be avoided by practicing Catholics. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is not a fairy tale. Jesus Christ is true God and true Man, come in the flesh, one in being with the Father. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is no way to get to Heaven except through Him. There is No gay marriage, abortion, woman priests, or anything which is not God’s will in Heaven. Dan Rose is misconstruing the Truth, and is trying to promote his own agenda. Bishop Morlino has the duty to fire anyone who is teaching their own doctrine which is contrary, harmful, and false. To not do so would be an act of cowardice on his part. I am glad to see that we have a Bishop who is courageous, and has the Holy Spirit gift of fortitude to follow Christ in a very hostile society. Your letter reveals clearly your commitment to follow the ways of the world, the spirit of the world, and not the Spirit of Christ. I will pray for your soul, Dan Rose.

I am so happy to see there are others that are upset about this article. I hope that one of you that write better than I do write a letter to the editor and get something printed so everyone will see how wrong Rose is.

Dan,

You’re a good man for apologizing. When I was a freshman I may have written something similar to blow some steam … but not with regards to a bishop … especially a fine one like Bishop Morlino. If a bishop is “a sign of contradiction,” chances are he is doing his job (“Woe to you when all men speak well of you”).

I would encourage you to check out St. Paul’s Catholic Center. The priests there are very good men, and I guarantee you, you will at least find resources for balancing your opinion, or more.

Have a blessed observance of Holy Week.

Prayers,

Mitchell

Here we go again. There remains a void - the width of the chasm from Lazarus to Dives - between those who claim to be Catholic and those who actually choose to “live as Catholics.” From the outset of this tragic attempt at journalism, this “Catholic” freshman is even unaware of how long OUR OWN Bishop Morlino has been here in Madison - he did not arrive last Summer … he’s been here for nearly 5 years (my goodness!).

This is yet more light shown on the secular, liberal agenda that reports based on “feelings” rather than facts. And if that wasn’t enough, they claim to lead the way in their use of “reason.” WHAT A JOKE!

Thinking things through is simply not a priority with these ostriches, as is demonstrated by their American Idol (B.O.), who “feels” it is enough intellectual exertion to state, “it is above my pay grade”, before legislating the slaughter of 50 million preborn innocents worldwide every year.

Madison Catholics are so very tired of this endless failure among self-professed elites to engage brain before putting mouth in gear.

PULEAZE!!!

I have to share my laughter at the following sentence of yours, Mr. Rose:

” but he(the Bishop) is truly threatening the public morality of Madison.”

What a rediculous statement! I’m not sure you see the same Madison as everyone else! Madison’s “public morality” has embraced such things as the Halloween “Freak Fest” in which public acts of moral depravity are the norm & the State of WI pays for law enforecement to oversee this sick display. Madison’s “public morality” has welcomed, with UW and taxpayer support, a clinic providing abortion to infants that could live because they are old enough to survive outside the womb.

If you think Madison is hiding some outstanding examples of “public morality”, you should share them with your readers, because to us normal folks, Madison is a little island of liberal thought, festering with subjective morality & reletivism and denying any objective moral good.

The rest of us in Wisconsin do not hold the same inability to see objective good as most in Madison do (I know there are a few good people left on that island). That is the reason we need more exemplary leaders in Madison, both of church and state, such as the good Bishop Morlino.

Dan, It sounds like the Catholic doctrine isn’t for you. Might I suggest considering a different church or maybe none at all? I rejected the Catholic doctrine the day I was taught in Sunday School that all of humanity supposedly came from one man and one woman. Ironically, the day I was forced into becoming a confirmed Catholic was the day I was officially free from the oppression of religion. I have grown both morally and mentally without the aid of Catholicism or any other religion and will continue to do so. However I do acknowledge that for some reason, some people need religion in their lives. I personally do not need to be coaxed by “God” or whoever to avoid destructive behavior.

“What are these churches now if they are not the tombs and sepulchers of God?”-Nietzsche

5:33,

Madison is not an island, it’s an isthmus. Duh.

Daniel,

I find your attacks on the bishop thoughtless and senseless. The bishop is following the beliefs of the Church, which is his job. It it his duty to the faith to pass the values of the Catholic church unto those in his dioceses. His remarks on the previous election were necessary. Although his views may be different than your own, he was simply informing Catholic voters to be aware of what Catholic beliefs would not be practiced by those candidates. It is no different than a liberal speaking out over a Republican candidate’s view. It is any citizen’s right, be they of the cloth or not, to express their views. I find this attack on the bishop ridiculous, since you would not attack someone speaking out against McCain’s oil plan or financial plans. Just because you don’t agree doesn’t mean he was out of line. Please keep that in mind.

The Catholic church views stem cell research, abortion, gay marriage, etc as practices that are either unnatural or against God’s plan. That is their opinion. Morlino is doing his job as a bishop to try to instill these beliefs in the faithful. Without guidance from bishops as Morlino, the Catholic church would fail because of a lack of leadership. Pope Benedict is a strong leader of the Church, and he is attempting to keep it stable in such volatile times.

The Catholic Church has always been politically ‘right.’ Call it stubbornness or ignorance, but that is the way of the Church. If you don’t agree with His Holiness’s verdicts on what is morally right, then join another denomination.

Daniel, have you ever gone to hear a sermon of Morlino’s? Have you spoken with him? Or are you gathering information from other highly biased blogs and commentaries? I would urge you to meet with the man you’re attacking.

I think there needs to be either a retraction of this article or a disclaimer stating that incorrect facts and libelous statements that could misinform a reader that is unfamiliar with the Church are present in this piece.

I hope you find a Church that fits your moral views better than the Catholic Church, Daniel. God bless.