Victims to hold “survivors’ memorial” outside Milwaukee Cathedral before Weakland’s public funeral

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8-29-22

WHEN: Tuesday, August 30th, 2022, 3:30pm

WHERE: Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 831 N Van Buren St, Milwaukee, WI

WHO: Survivors of clergy sexual abuse and advocates

WHAT: A survivors’ memorial featuring readings, candles, childhood photos of victims, and childhood religious items provided by families of clergy abuse victims who died by suicide

WHY: For 25 years, Archbishop Rembert Weakland facilitated the cover-up of child sex crimes by Catholic clergy, resulting in thousands of child victims. Tomorrow, Archbishop Listecki will celebrate a public funeral honoring and praising Weakland’s life.

This public funeral symbolizes the dangerous falsification of history, effectively erasing the pain and suffering of survivors. It is an endorsement of patterns and practices of concealing abuse that were established by the former Archbishop and are likely continuing today under the leadership of Archbishop Jerome Listecki, who last year, refused to cooperate with a statewide DOJ investigation into clergy sexual abuse. 

Survivors and advocates are encouraging Milwaukee Catholics to attend. 

Read our full release regarding Weakland’s public funeral. 

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