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fpbHUDSON, WIS., January 17 (CNA) - Bishop Raphael Fliss of Superior apologized Sunday for the way he handled the situation involving a local priest, who a judge ruled likely killed two funeral home workers nearly four years ago and later committed suicide.
"I know that ultimate responsibility for much of what has taken place rests upon my shoulders,” the bishop said before 700 people at St. Patrick's Church in Hudson, reported the Associated Press. “I am the one who must be held accountable for the lack of proper supervision and for all else that I failed to see, heed and act upon."
The bishop apologized for his “failings, omissions and lack of attentiveness to the entire responsibility that is mine. Truly, I wish I could turn the clock and calendar back and be given another opportunity to do it all much better," he reportedly said.
This was the first time the bishop spoke with Hudson parishioners about the situation with their former priest, Fr. Ryan Erickson, 31, who hanged himself about a year ago, a few days after police questioned him in the 2002 murders of Daniel O'Connell, 39, and James Ellison, 22. O’Connell was a parishioner at St. Patrick’s.
In October, St. Croix County Circuit Judge Eric Lundell ruled there was probable cause that Erickson shot the two men at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home. District Atty. Eric Johnson said evidence suggested O’Connell found out the priest was sexually abusing someone, was providing alcohol to minors, or both, reported the AP.
The bishop admitted Sunday that he had received complaints about Erickson, but said he also got “more letters praising him than condemning him." In retrospect, Fliss said, he should have appointed a group to discuss the complaints.
The bishop promised better evaluation of priests and improved communication with parishes to resolve complaints.
O'Connell's mother, Janet O'Connell, said the bishop was irresponsible by not addressing problems with the priest before the murders.
"I know that ultimate responsibility for much of what has taken place rests upon my shoulders,” the bishop said before 700 people at St. Patrick's Church in Hudson, reported the Associated Press. “I am the one who must be held accountable for the lack of proper supervision and for all else that I failed to see, heed and act upon."
The bishop apologized for his “failings, omissions and lack of attentiveness to the entire responsibility that is mine. Truly, I wish I could turn the clock and calendar back and be given another opportunity to do it all much better," he reportedly said.
This was the first time the bishop spoke with Hudson parishioners about the situation with their former priest, Fr. Ryan Erickson, 31, who hanged himself about a year ago, a few days after police questioned him in the 2002 murders of Daniel O'Connell, 39, and James Ellison, 22. O’Connell was a parishioner at St. Patrick’s.
In October, St. Croix County Circuit Judge Eric Lundell ruled there was probable cause that Erickson shot the two men at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home. District Atty. Eric Johnson said evidence suggested O’Connell found out the priest was sexually abusing someone, was providing alcohol to minors, or both, reported the AP.
The bishop admitted Sunday that he had received complaints about Erickson, but said he also got “more letters praising him than condemning him." In retrospect, Fliss said, he should have appointed a group to discuss the complaints.
The bishop promised better evaluation of priests and improved communication with parishes to resolve complaints.
O'Connell's mother, Janet O'Connell, said the bishop was irresponsible by not addressing problems with the priest before the murders.
bishop
Date: 2006-01-19 09:03 pm (UTC)After reviewing all the court and police documnets, I have come to the conclusion that no court in america would take this case on. Everything said in this courtroom was heresay. There was no proof of anything just speculation. Father Ryan may not have commited suicide either. According to the Hurley police dept, Ryans body was touching the ground! The rope was actually too long! If one was to throw themselves off a balcony and the rope was not long enough to hang them than how does one die from hanging?
Also the bullet progectory was quite interesting as well. A bullet went into a wall (the missed bullet) at a downward angle from the doorway. It went in at 58" downward. Doing the math and measurements, which are provided on this police document, the shooter had to be at least 6' tall or a shorter man was standing on a box.
Isn't it also interesting that the pornography that they found on his computer was put on two weeks after Father moved to Hurley? If he was one who viewed pornography on a reular basis than wouldn't you think that they would find such pictures when he was in Hudson and in Lady Smith? My understanding was that the Hurley rectory was open and connected to the offices and the church so anyone could walk in anytime. I'm a bit suspicious of that too.
Everyone laughed when Fathr Ryan mentioned the mafia. Don't laugh. Dans dad is known as "Tucker" (check the mrs's backround)
THere was also a witness to the fact that Father and Dan talked about confession and house blessing at a funeral just days before the killing. Viola Merchak heard it all in the kitchen at St. Pats church as well as other woman working there. But do we read about this in the papers or did the HPD ever put this into print in any of thier reports? NO they did not. Man, the list goes on and on and on.
Re: bishop
Date: 2006-01-19 09:26 pm (UTC)