Wisconsin bishop threatens denial of sacraments for 'rumors and gossip'NCR

Wisconsin bishop threatens denial of sacraments for 'rumors and gossip'NCR

By Marie Rohde

MILWAUKEE -- Despite warning signs that they would not win the fight to oust their priests, parishioners in a small Wisconsin town didn't relent. Neither did their bishop, Robert Morlino of Madison. After battling for almost two years, members of St. Mary Parish in Platteville were told by Morlino on April 25 that if they persisted in what he characterized as spreading "rumors and gossip," the Catholics would face some of the church's harshest sanctions: the denial of the sacraments of Communion, confession and burial.