The ex-head of the Milwaukee archdiocese admits to being gay but a victims group says his confession should've only begun. The upcoming memoir of former Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert Weakland follows a recently released deposition in which he also admitted to keeping sexually abusive priests active in the church. Peter Isely, Midwest Director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( SNAP ), says a potential cover up not sexual orientation is what is important.
"Gay bishops have covered up sex crimes and heterosexual bishops have covered up sex crimes. There is virtually no difference in them at all," says Isely.
Isely says Weakland's retelling of certain church events will likely prompt victims to fight even harder in courts to tell their stories. He accuses the religious leader of "rewriting the record with his editor."
Although the profits of the upcoming book will be donated to an archdiocesan fund, Isely thinks it would be better to donate the money for restitution of victims abused by those in the church.
Weakland stepped down in 2002 amidst a scandal in which an alleged sex assault victim of the religious leader was paid off by archdiocese money.
The religious leader has denied abusing anyone. He currently lives in a Milwaukee-area retirement community but plans on moving to New Jersey.