Reinstate Ruth Kolpack
Target:
Bishop Morlino
Sponsored by:
On March 12, 2009, Ruth Kolpack was fired from her position as Pastoral Associate at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Beloit, Wisconsin. She had served the parish for the past 35 years.
The decision to fire Ruth, effective immediately, came after a ten minute meeting with Bishop Robert Morlino of the Catholic Diocese of Madison.
During this meeting, Ruth was asked to denounce her master's thesis, titled, "Inclusive Language for Naming God: A Challenge for the Church," in order to keep her job; she was given no opportunity to defend her work, nor explain why it would be dishonest for her to conform to the Bishop's request.
We sincerely believe that the decision to fire Ruth was made without a full disclosure of Ruth's faithful service to the Church.
We respectfully ask the Bishop to reconsider the discharge of Ruth.
On March 12, 2009, Ruth Kolpack was fired from her position as Pastoral Associate at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Beloit, Wisconsin. She had served the parish for the past 35 years.
The decision to fire Ruth, effective immediately, came after a ten minute meeting with Bishop Robert Morlino of the Catholic Diocese of Madison.
During this meeting, Ruth was asked to denounce her master's thesis, titled, "Inclusive Language for Naming God: A Challenge for the Church," in order to keep her job; she was given no opportunity to defend her work, nor explain why it would be dishonest for her to conform to the Bishop's request.
We sincerely believe that the decision to fire Ruth was made without a full disclosure of Ruth's faithful service to the Church.
We respectfully ask the Bishop to reconsider the discharge of Ruth.
We the undersigned, respectfully petition you for your reconsideration of the discharge of Ruth Kolpack as Pastoral Assistant of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church of Beloit, WIsconsin.
We sincerely believe your decision was made without a full disclosure to you of the faithful service given to your Church by Ms. Kolpack. Those of us who have known her for many years, can attest to her outstanding example of faith and commitment.
Those of us who do not know Ruth personally, but understand her story, indeed believe that her years of devotion merit reconsideration of your decision in the interest of good will, fairness and respect for her academic integrity.
Your Excellency, we thank for this consideration.
We sincerely believe your decision was made without a full disclosure to you of the faithful service given to your Church by Ms. Kolpack. Those of us who have known her for many years, can attest to her outstanding example of faith and commitment.
Those of us who do not know Ruth personally, but understand her story, indeed believe that her years of devotion merit reconsideration of your decision in the interest of good will, fairness and respect for her academic integrity.
Your Excellency, we thank for this consideration.
We signed the "Reinstate Ruth Kolpack" petition!
# 1,356:
4:35 pm PDT, Sep 2,
Will Slota, Washington
As a former member of this parish I find this whole scenario saddening.
As a former member of this parish I find this whole scenario saddening.
# 1,355:
2:59 pm PDT, Sep 2,
Susan Tamalunas, South Carolina
I was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle parish for several years, and I know Ruth and the good she's done for the parish and the Catholic faith. This decision has created a great loss for the Catholic community.
I was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle parish for several years, and I know Ruth and the good she's done for the parish and the Catholic faith. This decision has created a great loss for the Catholic community.
# 1,354:
11:45 pm PDT, Aug 15,
Angelo Feldkamp, New Mexico
# 1,353:
1:13 pm PDT, Aug 10,
Diana Baker, New Mexico
Your arbitrary and unjustice actions with regard to Ruth Kolpak have been noted throughout the country with disgust. The Roman Catholic hierarchy continues to make themselves more and more irrelevant, particularly among its best educated members. No wonder one-third of adult Catholics have left the church.
Your arbitrary and unjustice actions with regard to Ruth Kolpak have been noted throughout the country with disgust. The Roman Catholic hierarchy continues to make themselves more and more irrelevant, particularly among its best educated members. No wonder one-third of adult Catholics have left the church.
# 1,352:
4:39 pm PDT, Aug 6,
Humberto Camacho, California
A 10 minute review is a slap on the face to God.
A 10 minute review is a slap on the face to God.
# 1,351:
1:31 am PDT, Jul 25,
Mary Leslie, United Kingdom
# 1,350:
5:21 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Andrea Gorecki, California
# 1,349:
8:21 pm PDT, Jun 24,
Kay Akers, California
For once please do the right thing.
For once please do the right thing.
# 1,348:
2:31 pm PDT, Jun 24,
Andrew Holton, United Kingdom
Our words are not enough to describe God. Our God incorporates the masculine, feminine, and other. What a wonderful God we have!
Our words are not enough to describe God. Our God incorporates the masculine, feminine, and other. What a wonderful God we have!
# 1,347:
5:34 pm PDT, Jun 18,
Michael Nachman, Wisconsin
# 1,346:
3:46 pm PDT, Jun 15,
Constance Zatsick, Michigan
# 1,345:
11:08 am PDT, Jun 1,
Mary Munch, California
# 1,344:
10:06 am PDT, Jun 1,
Name not displayed, California
I can hardly believe that this is happening. What a disgrace to the Catholic Church to let this happen to a good woman who has been faithfully serving her Church for over 15 years.
I can hardly believe that this is happening. What a disgrace to the Catholic Church to let this happen to a good woman who has been faithfully serving her Church for over 15 years.
# 1,343:
1:23 pm PDT, May 28,
Mary & Ann Kelly, California
# 1,342:
10:56 am PDT, May 28,
James Lee, Washington D.C.
# 1,341:
10:55 am PDT, May 28,
Frances Tobin, California
I truly wonder why the Bishop sees this action as following in the footsteps of the Lord. If Catholics cannot embrace theological and Scriptural studies with integrity and intelligence, then we are in deep trouble. To my brother Bishop, I say: Trust the Holy Spirit and trust the commitment of this wonderful woman and the community in which she ministers. Do not quench the work of the Spirit at work in theologians and Scripture scholars and teachers. The Church through the ages has fostered scholars and educators..........and their ministries; this is how the Christian community grows and becomes strong and creative and responsive to the needs of every age. And dear sir, punishment is not needed.
I truly wonder why the Bishop sees this action as following in the footsteps of the Lord. If Catholics cannot embrace theological and Scriptural studies with integrity and intelligence, then we are in deep trouble. To my brother Bishop, I say: Trust the Holy Spirit and trust the commitment of this wonderful woman and the community in which she ministers. Do not quench the work of the Spirit at work in theologians and Scripture scholars and teachers. The Church through the ages has fostered scholars and educators..........and their ministries; this is how the Christian community grows and becomes strong and creative and responsive to the needs of every age. And dear sir, punishment is not needed.
# 1,340:
12:37 pm PDT, May 27,
Mario De Salvo, California
Just another victim of the Church's tradition of silencing the opposition.
Just another victim of the Church's tradition of silencing the opposition.
# 1,339:
4:12 pm PDT, May 24,
Juan Ramirez, New York
Please re-instate Ruth Kolpack. Clearly, her thesis has merit and embodies what all of us need: critical and free thinking. She is a woman of God, trying to bring equality to humanity.
Please re-instate Ruth Kolpack. Clearly, her thesis has merit and embodies what all of us need: critical and free thinking. She is a woman of God, trying to bring equality to humanity.
# 1,338:
6:24 pm PDT, May 15,
Geno Barrette, Georgia
May we not muzzle the Holy Spirit trying to speak in and through "all of us."
May we not muzzle the Holy Spirit trying to speak in and through "all of us."
# 1,337:
7:40 am PDT, May 15,
Maria Cressler, Georgia
# 1,336:
5:22 am PDT, May 15,
Patricia Smith, Georgia
God is inclusive. Often our Church just isn't. But beyond the point of this Ruth Kolpack's thesis being correct about who God is (as the thesis is described here, in my opinion), she evidently had little to no opportunity for justice as an employee to express/defend her position and the testosterone-driven "Men know best" attitude of the Church prevailed. Do we think Jesus would be pleased?
God is inclusive. Often our Church just isn't. But beyond the point of this Ruth Kolpack's thesis being correct about who God is (as the thesis is described here, in my opinion), she evidently had little to no opportunity for justice as an employee to express/defend her position and the testosterone-driven "Men know best" attitude of the Church prevailed. Do we think Jesus would be pleased?
# 1,335:
7:58 pm PDT, May 14,
Nnamdi Nnarah, Nigeria
i love you all
i love you all
# 1,334:
3:04 pm PDT, May 12,
Name not displayed, California
# 1,333:
11:00 am PDT, May 12,
Mindy Box, Alabama
# 1,332:
2:16 pm PDT, May 11,
Lisa Jakubenas, Wisconsin
# 1,331:
1:41 pm PDT, May 11,
Jennifer O'Malley, California
# 1,330:
|
6:50 am PDT, May 11,
Margaret Allen, Michigan
This sounds too legalistic to me. Why wasn't she even given a chance to defend herself?? Not cool. I would expect better behavior/action from the church. Very disappointing indeed. |
# 1,329:
7:26 pm PDT, May 10,
Janet Glisson, Michigan
# 1,328:
11:10 pm PDT, May 9,
Nancy Greve-Shannon, Wisconsin
# 1,327:
1:53 pm PDT, May 9,
Paul Marie Westlake,rsm, Pennsylvania
# 1,326:
12:14 pm PDT, May 9,
Jeanne Hiatt, Wisconsin
WWJD
WWJD
# 1,325:
11:25 am PDT, May 9,
Mary Oconnor, Ohio
# 1,324:
10:56 am PDT, May 9,
Charles Busnuk, Maryland
I'm so tired of old men thinking that they are the Church and acting like Vatican II never happened. They are killing the Church.
I'm so tired of old men thinking that they are the Church and acting like Vatican II never happened. They are killing the Church.
# 1,323:
6:34 pm PDT, May 8,
Deanna Leonti, Florida
# 1,322:
4:43 pm PDT, May 8,
Maurenn Carney, Massachusetts
How an individual impacts those she/he has direct contact with needs to be valued by the followers of a man who made that the center of his life and message
How an individual impacts those she/he has direct contact with needs to be valued by the followers of a man who made that the center of his life and message
# 1,321:
2:07 pm PDT, May 8,
Jim Houzner, Wisconsin
This is absolutely terrible. What is Bishop Morlino afraid of? This man is so not in the real world anymore. My gay Lutheran support to Ruth Kolpack!
This is absolutely terrible. What is Bishop Morlino afraid of? This man is so not in the real world anymore. My gay Lutheran support to Ruth Kolpack!
# 1,320:
5:55 am PDT, May 8,
Sara Kelley, Alabama
Resinstate Ruth! Or continue with this blatant disregard of christian principles...
Resinstate Ruth! Or continue with this blatant disregard of christian principles...
# 1,319:
8:41 pm PDT, May 7,
John Butkis, California
# 1,318:
8:10 pm PDT, May 7,
Pat McSweeney, Massachusetts
Bihip Morlino's behavior is yet another prfound embarrassment in the never-ending saga of Bishop Bungling. If it weren't so serious, we might dismiss it as ludicrous in the extreme. But his narrowmindedness and arrogance are a betrayal of Christ's example.
Bihip Morlino's behavior is yet another prfound embarrassment in the never-ending saga of Bishop Bungling. If it weren't so serious, we might dismiss it as ludicrous in the extreme. But his narrowmindedness and arrogance are a betrayal of Christ's example.
# 1,317:
7:20 pm PDT, May 7,
Geraldine Champlin, Indiana
I can see no reason for Bishop Morlino's decision. It is narrow minded blind sighted authoritarian figures who are more concerned with control than with inclusion of all the lambs into the fold that are the cause of the failure of our Church to grow in loving service as Jesus has commanded us. Shame of you, Bishop Morlino!
I can see no reason for Bishop Morlino's decision. It is narrow minded blind sighted authoritarian figures who are more concerned with control than with inclusion of all the lambs into the fold that are the cause of the failure of our Church to grow in loving service as Jesus has commanded us. Shame of you, Bishop Morlino!
# 1,316:
5:48 pm PDT, May 7,
Thomas Strunk, Ohio
# 1,315:
5:43 pm PDT, May 7,
Mary Ann Sadenwater, Indiana
I respectfully ask you to reconsider and then to reinstate Ruth in her parish position. thank you, Mary Ann Sadenwater
I respectfully ask you to reconsider and then to reinstate Ruth in her parish position. thank you, Mary Ann Sadenwater
# 1,314:
5:30 pm PDT, May 7,
Madeleine Nevins, Canada
I am appalled at the Bishop's lack of understanding of the role of women in the Church. Why would inclusive language be a source of fear? The only reason to silence someone is that they are straying from Church teaching. Even in Jesus'time 2,000 years ago he included women.Start to have respect for all of God's creation
I am appalled at the Bishop's lack of understanding of the role of women in the Church. Why would inclusive language be a source of fear? The only reason to silence someone is that they are straying from Church teaching. Even in Jesus'time 2,000 years ago he included women.Start to have respect for all of God's creation
# 1,313:
5:20 pm PDT, May 7,
Fredric Matestic, Wisconsin
As a lifelong Catholic, I am outraged by the conduct of Richop Morlino. Bishops like you will be the destruction of the Catholic Church in America. You place the church's man made rules above the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank God there are many fine Catholic Christians like Ruth Kolpack that give hope to the church.
As a lifelong Catholic, I am outraged by the conduct of Richop Morlino. Bishops like you will be the destruction of the Catholic Church in America. You place the church's man made rules above the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank God there are many fine Catholic Christians like Ruth Kolpack that give hope to the church.
# 1,312:
4:08 pm PDT, May 7,
Maggie Quinlan, Virginia
Women in the church bring a special gift to all parishioners. Most work without pay or without just wages. It is time to bring justice to church administration.
Women in the church bring a special gift to all parishioners. Most work without pay or without just wages. It is time to bring justice to church administration.
# 1,311:
3:27 pm PDT, May 7,
Joan Engelhuber, Wisconsin
Inclusive language is mandatory when naming God. God is a spiritual being and is neither he or she. We were in that direction after Vatican II but sadly, are presently regressing. I applaud Ruth Kolpack and her master's thesis, which should be shared with all the parishioners in every parish.
Inclusive language is mandatory when naming God. God is a spiritual being and is neither he or she. We were in that direction after Vatican II but sadly, are presently regressing. I applaud Ruth Kolpack and her master's thesis, which should be shared with all the parishioners in every parish.
# 1,310:
2:11 pm PDT, May 7,
Aimee Koeplin, California
# 1,308:
2:03 pm PDT, May 7,
Norbert Langer, New Jersey
Are we all--especially our leadership--following Jesus' call for justice, compassion & truth?
Are we all--especially our leadership--following Jesus' call for justice, compassion & truth?
# 1,309:
2:01 pm PDT, May 7,
Gretchen Chateau, Georgia
This kind of brutality is why I left the Roman Catholic Church in 1979, joined The Episcopal Church in 1986, and have never looked back. But woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men, for you yourselves do not enter in; and those that are going in, you suffer not to enter.
This kind of brutality is why I left the Roman Catholic Church in 1979, joined The Episcopal Church in 1986, and have never looked back. But woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men, for you yourselves do not enter in; and those that are going in, you suffer not to enter.
# 1,307:
9:51 am PDT, May 6,
Lucille Whalen, California
We need more women like Ruth Kolpack!
We need more women like Ruth Kolpack!
# 1,306:
8:20 am PDT, May 6,
Frances Pletschet, California
# 1,305:
8:40 pm PDT, May 5,
Sister Linda Snow, California
# 1,304:
6:15 pm PDT, May 5,
Kathryn Dougherty, California
We are still Americans where freedom of speech is alive and well. Do we have to renounce our civil rights to be Catholic? I think not.]
We are still Americans where freedom of speech is alive and well. Do we have to renounce our civil rights to be Catholic? I think not.]
# 1,303:
12:59 pm PDT, May 5,
Lindsay McClead, Minnesota
We need more people like Ruth to represent our Church.
We need more people like Ruth to represent our Church.
# 1,302:
10:17 am PDT, May 5,
Regina Rust, Illinois
As a body of Christ, we must be a witness to many truths.
As a body of Christ, we must be a witness to many truths.
# 1,301:
3:48 am PDT, May 5,
John W. Eysster, Wisconsin
As a "Christian," I am offended by the witness of our Christian faith by you, Robert Morlino! There is NO TITLE on earth which protects any person, including you, from being accountable for her/his behavior!!!! You have embarrassed "Christians"! Time for an apology to the Christian community at-large! Why about academic freedom, Bob? Have you written anything in your academic papers which you do NOT want us to find?! KNOW that there is an investigation going on NOW! Forewarned is forearmed! John W. Eyster, Clergyperson, United Church of Christ and former Interim Pastor, First Congregational Church of Beloit, WI. I know Ruth Kolpack and worked with her - YOU have made a very serious mis-judgement, Bob! JWE :(
As a "Christian," I am offended by the witness of our Christian faith by you, Robert Morlino! There is NO TITLE on earth which protects any person, including you, from being accountable for her/his behavior!!!! You have embarrassed "Christians"! Time for an apology to the Christian community at-large! Why about academic freedom, Bob? Have you written anything in your academic papers which you do NOT want us to find?! KNOW that there is an investigation going on NOW! Forewarned is forearmed! John W. Eyster, Clergyperson, United Church of Christ and former Interim Pastor, First Congregational Church of Beloit, WI. I know Ruth Kolpack and worked with her - YOU have made a very serious mis-judgement, Bob! JWE :(
