Archbishop is Newsmaker at Milwaukee Press Club Luncheon

Addresses questions from local media panelists
 

On Thursday, March 9, 2010, the Milwaukee Press Club invited Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki to be the newsmaker at its March monthly luncheon.

Jim Nelson, Milwaukee Press Club president, kicked off the event and introduced the emcee, Steve Jagler, director of the Milwaukee Press Club and executive editor of BizTimes Milwaukee. Steve, in turn, introduced the panel comprised of local press – Jon Bryman, TMJ4, Nick Bohr, WISN 12, and Annysa Johnson, religious reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The panelists came prepared to get some insight into the new Archbishop of Milwaukee.

Before he settled in to answer questions, Archbishop Listecki gave the opening remarks. Denying he was a “newsmaker,” but rather just a boy from the south side of Chicago, he spoke of how happy he was to be the Archbishop of Milwaukee. He also shared a little known secret with the audience - Chicagoans actually like Milwaukee (a lot)! After finishing his brief remarks, Archbishop Listecki began taking questions from the panel.

Here are some paraphrased questions (presented by the panel) and responses from Archbishop Listecki:

Question 1

Q. (Annysa Johnson) – The local (Catholic) Church has lost people. Is it better to have a small tent (of people) or a larger tent that tolerates dissent? Are moderate Catholics being alienated?

A. (Archbishop Listecki) – God is important to the well-being of all. He not only affects Catholicism, but all faith groups. Additionally, Catholicism has always been diverse. Religious groups within the Catholic faith reflect the diversity through their charisms. While the Jesuits have pursued intellectual matters, the Franciscans worked with and for the poor, and the Benedictines have focused on the liturgy. However, the teachings of the Church are not open for debate.

I want us to have 1,000,000 Catholics in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.  I will do my best to ensure those who have fallen away come back, and those looking to embrace Jesus come forth.


Question 2

Q. (Nick Bohr) – Will the Archdiocese of Milwaukee declare bankruptcy? What is the financial state of the archdiocese?

A. (Archbishop Listecki) – There are factors out of my control. However, my task as archbishop is to clearly define the mission and work of the Church with the resources available. My mission is a mandate from the Gospel and the Church cannot shirk its responsibilities because it is financially burdened.
I am a realist and I have to consider the loss of resources and what it will mean to Catholics.


Question 3

Q. (Jon Bryman) – Will you deny Communion to local lawmakers voting against Catholic teachings (e.g., abortion)?

A. (Archbishop Listecki) – The cure for people is the Eucharist itself. Each situation must be considered individually and there’s a need for the bishop to not only be teacher, but be pastor and in that sense to come to know the heart of the individual. I would seek to understand an individual and help him or her understand the teaching, but I would also need to consider the impact that the individual’s actions would have on the Catholic community. I can’t tell you that there wouldn’t be somebody who would be so obstinate in terms of not caring about the slander that they would give to the Catholics in the community that would basically force my hand to do that, but that’s not … what I would either envision, nor something which I would embrace.


Question 4

Q. (Annysa Johnson) - Is a pro-choice Catholic political figure essentially slandering the church if his or her views are unchanged after speaking with you about the church’s teachings?

A. (Archbishop Listecki) – Because of the different ways people understand pro-choice. It’s very difficult for me just to see how somebody can be pro-choice knowing what the teaching of the Church is, but individuals may be pro-choice looking to limit abortions. It’s also hard for me to envision a society that justifies ending the lives of its future citizens.


Question 5

Q. (Annysa Johnson) – Mayer Barrett is a pro-choice Catholic. Will you meet with him? Is he slandering the Church?

A. (Archbishop Listecki) – Pro-choice means many different things. It is hard for me to envision a society that justifies the taking of a life of its future citizens when it advocates or supports those positions. Is it a right or a lack of recognition of the unborn?



Question 6

Q. (Nick Bohr) – One of the main issues for Catholics is dealing with sexual abuse. How’s it going?

A. (Archbishop Listecki) – Part of my role as archbishop is to bring about healing. I will meet with any victims. I want to take a spiritual approach. SNAP has a political agenda and I am not too sure it is concerned about the healing process.


Question 7

Q. (Jon Bryman) - What is the archdiocese’s policy for those indicating sexual abuse?

A. (Archbishop Listecki) – If a minor is involved, it must be reported to the civil authorities because of the abuse policy in place at the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. All dioceses in Wisconsin report child abuse right away.
Adults may come to the Church and/or go the police. No one would be advised not to go to the police. However, some adult individuals demand confidentiality, but want to make a report to the Church. Additionally, sometimes adults come forward and are unsure about what did or did not happen.


Question 8

Q. (Annysa Johnson) – Should Notre Dame have asked the bishop before inviting Barack Obama? Should the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops have more oversight of Catholic colleges and universities?

A. (Archbishop Listecki) – Any institution that claims to be Catholic has its identity in the local bishop.
Whatever Notre Dame does affects its diocese. Failure to inform the diocese was wrong. Universities are governed by a board, but should recognize the responsibility they have to their dioceses.

There is academic freedom in the classroom; however, if a teacher attacks the Church, I will be there to defend it. Sometimes (academic) freedom necessitates response.


Question 9

Q. (Nick Bohr) – What does an archbishop give up for Lent?

A. (Archbishop Listecki) – For Lent, I have increased my prayer life. Additionally, I ask people to pray for me. I have a spiritual bank and their prayers fill up that bank.

I give up sweets and abstain from a meal now and then too. However, it’s hard to abstain from sweets because parishes always make them for me. God understands that I can’t be disrespectful.

During Lent, one of the things I notice is how daily Mass attendance doubles. I am not talking about a Sunday Mass which Catholics have an obligation to attend, but a daily Mass that might only usually have 30-40 people, but now has 80-90 during Lent.


Question 10

Q. (Jon Bryman) – Is there a role for public funding of Catholic education?

A. (Archbishop Listecki) – Education in this country wouldn’t be what it is today without parochial schools. Catholics have been educating since the early days. Early on, sisters educated kids for less than a living wage. Also, many universities and colleges, such as Harvard and Yale, had parochial beginnings.

Public funding for Catholic education should be considered because of the quality it provides. It should also be recognized that there is something provided to society (through Catholic education). Catholic education takes a burden off government and it is quality based.
Milwaukee should be proud of the choice program in place. The way out of poverty is education. Education is the way to help society grow and expand. Society will reap tremendous benefits from it.

If the religions are doing it, the government should support them.
 

Question 11

Q. (Annysa Johnson) – Speaking of the sisters… the Vatican is (reviewing) the orders. Should the sisters view it as an inquisition and attempt to push them into more traditional roles?

A. (Archbishop Listecki) – There is always fear when the Vatican or anyone else is looking into something.
There were three papal studies while I was in the seminary. We were all fearful that the Vatican would do this or that. Instead, the studies helped us to realize what we were doing well and what we needed to address.

Just look at the power of religious women in the United States. The study will help them understand what they are doing right and what they could do better.

As orders move away from their founders, the organization is less in touch with its charisms. Honest assessments help the Church maximize its strengths, not quash individual orders.



   

Article by Gillian Lester-George
Cover photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee

pictured on cover - Archbishop Listecki and the panelists