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CNN Live Today
Milwaukee Archbishop Asks Church to Accept His Resignation
Aired May 23, 2002 - 13:13 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The Archdiocese in Milwaukee is the latest focal point in the Catholic Church's priest abuse scandal. Today the Archbishop Rembert Weakland denied allegations of past abuse, but there is a statement now where he is asking the church to accept his resignation.
Jeff Flock joining us from Milwaukee following this story.
Jeff, good afternoon.
JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Bill, good afternoon to you.
We are here at the headquarters of the Milwaukee Catholic Archdiocese. Perhaps you see it behind me. And it is fair to say, having heard from some Milwaukee Catholics already, that they are -- in their own words -- "shocked by news" about Archbishop Weakland this morning.
He is a man who has been archbishop in this diocese for now 25 years, a prominent Catholic Church leader. Perhaps you know him as one of the perhaps more liberal-leaning prominent Catholic Church leaders in the U.S. He is a man who early in his career was even considered a possible first U.S. pope.
But now news today -- word today -- that there were allegations of sexual assault against Weakland dating back now 20 years ago by a man, and I do say a man, not a boy. This man was already in his mid- 30s. He essentially says he was date-raped by Weakland 20 years ago. And there is now evidence that Weakland paid some several thousand dollars of his own money to initially settle the claim, and then in 1997 expended $450,000 of Milwaukee Catholic Church money in the claim.
A short time ago, Weakland issued a statement in which he defended himself, though he confirmed that there in fact was a settlement.
His statement.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JERRY TOPCZEWSKI, ARCHDIOCESE SPOKESMAN: I have never abused anyone. I have not seen Paul Marcoux for more than 20 years. When I first met him here in Milwaukee, he was a man in his early 30s. Paul Marcoux has made reference to a settlement agreement between us. Because I accept the agreement's confidentiality provision, I will make no comment about its contents.
However, because I have financial responsibility for the well- being of this archdiocese, I want to let the people of the archdiocese know that through my 25 years as -- of -- as bishop, I have handed over to the archdiocese money obtained by my lectures and writings, together with other honoraria. Cumulatively those monies far exceed any settlement amount.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FLOCK: So Weakland essentially saying that if there was a settlement amount, that any money that was paid essentially was his own money, money that he contributed to the church anyway. And I can tell you, having heard from some Milwaukee Catholics, that is clearly on their minds this morning.
Weakland goes on to say that he does not want to provide a distraction given the current climate around this issue. He points out that he has already tendered his resignation -- that because of church law. He reached the age of 75, and every bishop -- archbishop must tender a resignation to the pope at that time. He did so. Has not had it accepted yet, and fully expected to serve through the summer and perhaps into the fall and appear at the prominent U.S. meeting of Catholic U.S. bishops in Dallas. But at this point, he has said that he will ask the pope to accelerate the process of replacing him and essentially make that resignation happen a lot sooner than initially was expected to. So shocking news here in Milwaukee today.
And, Bill, throughout this day we'll be talking to folks and get some sense of it and let you know. That's the latest from here, back to you.
HEMMER: Jeff, quickly, any word thus far since the announcement from the accuser?
FLOCK: I can tell you that this was a story initially reported by ABC News. It turns out the "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel" also had it, did not publish because they felt that they could not confirm it. But they say that he is now living in San Francisco. And they describe him as a -- as a man who is out of work in San Francisco and has had a lot of difficulty as a result of this -- what happened to him 20 years ago and that in his mind justifies the amount of that settlement that he sought from the church here about five years ago.
HEMMER: Thank you, Jeff.
Jeff Flock in Milwaukee.
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