Robert F. Morneau

Last updated
The Most Reverend

Robert Fealey Morneau
Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Green Bay
See Diocese of Green Bay
AppointedDecember 19, 1978
InstalledFebruary 22, 1979
RetiredOctober 7, 2013
Orders
OrdinationMay 28, 1966
ConsecrationFebruary 22, 1979
by  Aloysius John Wycislo, Mark Francis Schmitt, and John Benjamin Grellinger
Personal details
Born (1938-09-10) September 10, 1938 (age 85)
New London, Wisconsin, US
Education St. Norbert College
Sacred Heart School of Theology
Catholic University of America
Styles of
Robert Fealey Morneau
Mitre (plain).svg
Reference style
Spoken style Your Excellency
Religious style Bishop

Robert Fealey Morneau (born September 10, 1938) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. Morneau served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay from 1978 to 2013.

Contents

Biography

Early life

The fourth of six children, Robert Morneau was born on September 10, 1938, in New London, Wisconsin, to Leroy and Catherine (Fealey) Morneau. After graduating from Bear Creek High School, he studied at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corner, Wisconsin. Morneau then entered Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he earned both bachelor and masters degrees. [1]

Priesthood

Morneau was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Green Bay by Bishop John Grellinger on May 28, 1966. [2]

After his ordination, Morneau worked as an assistant pastor at a parish in New London, Wisconsin. He then took appointments in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where he served as a faculty member at Silver Late College. and chaplain at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus and Park Town Home. He has also taught at the Summer Theological Institute of St. Norbert College and served on the college's board of trustees. [1]

Auxiliary Bishop of Green Bay

On December 19, 1978, Pope John Paul II appointed Morneau as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay and titular bishop of Massa Lubrense. He was consecrated at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay on February 22, 1979, by Bishop Aloysius Wycislo, with Bishops Mark Schmitt and John Grellinger serving as co-consecrators. [2]

Morneau served the diocese as a member of the college of consultors and the diocesan Finance Council; as the vicar for priests and the vicar general; and as pastor of Resurrection Parish in Allouez, Wisconsin. [1]

In 1979, a family complained to Morneau that their child had been sexually abused by Reverend David Boyea. The family only asked for an apology from Boyea, which Morneau obtained. Morneau did not report the allegations to the police or to the public. [3] In 1985, Boyea pleaded guilty to first degree sexual assault of a different child and was sentenced to ten years in prison. In 1986, a $12 million civil suit was filed against Morneau and the diocese by three of Boyea's victims. The diocese eventually settled with the victims. [3] In 1990, Boyea was released from prison and was laicized by the Vatican. [4] [3] I

Retirement and legacy

On September 10, 2013, Morneau turned 75, the retirement age at which bishops must submit a retirement request to the Vatican. On October 7, 2013, Pope Francis accepted his retirement. [2] On September 14, 2018, the Vatican granted Morneau's request to withdraw from public ministry. In a statement, Morneau cited his failure to report Boyea to police in 1979. In a statement, Morneau said:

I failed to report to local authorities an incident of abuse of a minor by a priest in 1979 and, as a result, this priest was able to abuse again several years later. I intend to spend my time in prayer for all victims and survivors of sexual abuse and I will do corporal works of mercy in reparation for what I failed to do. [3]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Bishop Robert Morneau | Viterbo University". www.viterbo.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  2. 1 2 3 "Bishop Robert Fealey Morneau [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Gillespie, Sierra. "Retired bishop says he failed to report priest abuse, withdraws from public ministry". www.wbay.com. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  4. ↑ "Retired Green Bay auxiliary Bishop Morneau withdraws from public ministry". National Catholic Reporter. 2018-09-21. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
–
 Auxiliary Bishop of Green Bay
1979–2013		Succeeded by
–
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