New bishop for Santa Rosa; Ziemann apologizes

National Catholic Reporter, April 21, 2000

Pope John Paul II has named Bishop Daniel F. Walsh of Las Vegas to head the troubled Santa Rosa, Calif., diocese.

Walsh, a 62-year-old native of San Francisco, succeeds Bishop G. Patrick Ziemann, who resigned last July amid charges of sexual and financial misconduct.

Meanwhile, Ziemann issued an apology to Catholics for "the pain" he has caused the diocese "because of my failure to abide by my sacred vows and also because of my failure regarding the management of diocesan funds."

The letter, which was dated "Lent 2000," was read at all Sunday Masses in the diocese April 8 and 9.

"I acknowledge with deep regret my responsibility for the current state of affairs about which you are justly angry," Ziemann said. "I have hurt you all deeply and I humbly ask for your forgiveness."

Ziemann resigned after a priest of the diocese, Fr. Jorge Hume, filed suit against him and the diocese claiming sexual harassment and coercion. He seeks $8 million in damages. Ziemann admitted to consensual sexual relations with Hume, but denied coercion.

The diocese announced last September it faces a $15 million debt, and in February officials said it could double to $30 million. The financial crisis has led to questions about Ziemann's financial stewardship during his seven-year tenure as Santa Rosa's bishop.

Ziemann was residing in a small town in the San Francisco archdiocese, according to Santa Rosa diocesan spokesman Maurice Healy.

"I know you are all living daily with the consequences of my actions, and I cannot express to you enough the deep remorse and repentance I feel for letting you down," Ziemann said. "I pray that God will heal the wounds I have caused in the church in Santa Rosa."

Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, apostolic nuncio to the United States, announced the appointment of Walsh to the diocese April 11, a few days after Ziemann's apology was released. Walsh will be installed as the fifth bishop of Santa Rosa May 22.

He was an auxiliary bishop in San Francisco from 1981 to 1987, when he was appointed bishop of Reno-Las Vegas. The diocese that encompassed all of Nevada was divided in 1995, when Walsh was named the first bishop of Las Vegas.

San Francisco Archbishop William J. Levada, who has been administrator of the Santa Rosa diocese since Ziemann's resignation, praised Walsh as "a respected, experienced and pastoral leader" and said he faces "daunting responsibilities" in his new post.

In his own statement, Walsh said, "I reach out with open arms to the people of this diocese and all who serve the people, asking the Holy Spirit to inspire our efforts to bind and heal this local church."

Walsh serves on several committees of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, including the Ad Hoc Committee on Diocesan Audits. That committee is exploring a framework for diocesan financial review that would prevent the kind of financial problems that now plague the Santa Rosa diocese.