Suddenly we’re hearing concerns about the deceased Fr. Ryan Erickson, A Wisconsin priest who killed himself after he became the focus of an investigation that he allegedly killed two men. Several other priests said they were concerned and had suspicions about him going back to his seminary days. Too bad nothing was done about him then. Maybe the two victims might be alive today.
Some bloggers like to characterize Erickson as a traditionalist or conservative priest gone bad, apparently as the counterpoint to the numerous liberal and/or heterodox Paul Shanleys who have made the news in recent years. Apparently Erickson’s so-called conservatism or traditionalism was a shallow facade. While some have focused on Erickson’s strict views and pre-conciliar notions (which is erroneously referred to as “the more conservative church doctrine that prevailed before the changes brought about by the Second Vatican Council”; Vatican II changed no “doctrine”), it looks like Erickson adopted the persona right before graduating seminary, probably as an attempt to counteract impulses in himself that he saw were at odds with that persona.
Rask said Erickson seemed to adopt more traditional or orthodox views between his junior and senior seminary years. That is when he began wearing a cassock. Rask said Erickson was “not smart enough” to preach about complex pre-Vatican II practices and it was clear that he “didn’t know what he was talking about.”
Earlier in seminary, Erickson is alleged to have made inappropriate sexual advances on classmates.
A marginal student, a bizarre priest
Technorati Tags: Catholic, priesthood, scandal
“Since the Mass has become a dog-and-pony show, it seems chanceries have become inured to complaints. “Oh it’s those people complaining again because Father doesn’t celebrate the Mass according to their tastes.””
Sharp. “Broken Windows” theory also applies to liturgical discipline, or the lack thereof.
First, since he is dead, he can’t be convicted. However, a judge has determined that sufficient evidence exists to say that Erickson was likely responsible for the crime. That means that cops don’t have to keep looking for a killer and the families of the victims can move on.
Second,I never said he was convicted so you’re the one who is wrong. Show me exactly what I said that was wrong.
Third, how are we to understand what happened and prevent its future occurrence if we don’t examine this case? This builds up the Mystical Body of Christ by ensuring that we don’t ordain unstable men with certain pathologies (which in this case some witnesses said included homosexuality) and put them out there as shepherds.
When a popular priest allegedly murders two people and then kills himself, that should be the concern of every Catholic.
Finally, I will reiterate for the umpteenth time that this is a blog. It is not a newspaper, magazine, or any other form of journalism. This site exists for me to express myself in commentary on whatever I feel like. If you don’t like it, don’t read it. It doesn’t exist for your sake.
Don’t twist my words. I didn’t say that it doesn’t matter if what I posted is true. How are you serving the truth by twisting my words?
Courts and judges are NEVER errant.
Neither are juries inerrant. So are we never to say that someone is guilty?
The judicial system has a method by which to deal with cases like this. The system was used and the result came out of it. You don’t like the result. Too bad.
I have no particular reason to doubt the efficacy of the system in this case and so I was commenting on the testimony given by eyewitnesses to Erickson’s behavior.
I suppose you are an eyewitness who would like to give an opposing view. What evidence do you offer? I suppose you have some big conspiracy theory that says that Erickson was killed by the real murderer and the cops are in on it, covering up the crime.
Hey Brian, two people are dead. The issue of the Rev. Erickson’s involvement in their deaths is entirely relevant, irrespective of whether he himself is dead or alive.
The police are duty bound to investigate this crime and to find the perpetrator(s). It makes an enormous difference as to how they spend their time and energies whether they consider the Rev. Erickson to be responsible for the crime. It could also make an great difference to whether a real killer goes free if the police erroneously tag Erickson with the murders.
Secondly, it makes an enormous difference to the families of those murdered. They need to know that the police and a judge consider him to be the likely perpetrator. If they were your brothers or sons who were killed, I doubt whether you’d be quite so cavalier with your “let him rest in peace” schtick.
This is no different from any other murder/suicide case which you hear about in the media. No trial is given to a perp who kills members of his own family then turns a gun on himself but that doesn’t prevent him from being held as “guilty”, even if he is not formally convicted in a court of law due to his own cowardice in killing himself.
What is everyone’s fascination with this, you ask? If you aren’t curious as to whether a Catholic priest is a killer, then you are being disingenuous and even downright dishonest. Whenever any murder occurs, most normal people want to know who is responsible. Even more so, when a Catholic priest is implicated.
Spare us the shrill lectures.
Relax, Brian. This is the first time I’ve ever written about this case. It’s not like I’ve been harping about it on and on.
And no one’s pretending to read your mind or your soul, but maybe you should realize from our reactions that you come off as over-the-top.
Yeah Brian, I figured you’d pull the “I know much more about this than you” line. We’re all hugely impressed with the fact that you write the occasional column for The Wanderer but most of what you’ve contributed to this thread is sanctimonious baloney. Sorry.
I didn’t twig to who you were at first but when I re-read your posts and noted the injured, thin-skinned air that ran through them together with your own readiness to dish it out and the faux “I’m an expert on this subject” the penny dropped. “Mershon” from Free Republic.
Got a problem with “educators”, Brian?
And spare us “the victim” act. Your first offering on this thread was to suggest that we all needed to go to confession.
If anyone is judging the state of souls, it’s you.
Dom…….I think we have a bit of professional blog-envy here. The writer of these interventions has his own journalistic aspirations.
Drop me an email if you want to continue this discussion.
No need to foul up Dom’s blog with your personal issues with me.
I agree. All subsequent off-topic comments will be deleted.