WASHINGTON (July 3, 2001) -- The President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement concerning the dispute between the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and Archbishop Rembert Weakland of Milwaukee.

The dispute centers on renovations to the interior of St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in Milwaukee which were temporarily halted at the direction of the Congregation.

This is the text of the statement by Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza:

"I am deeply saddened that the dispute between the Congregation for Divine Worshipand the Discipline of the Sacraments and Archbishop Rembert Weakland has not been settled to their mutual satisfaction. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has considerable interest in this case. I have spoken to Archbishop Weakland and I amconfident that he is following the proper procedures in this dispute and that he has responded faithfully to the questions of the Congregation. His brother bishops join mein the prayerful hope that the dispute can be settled quickly for the peace and unity of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee."

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