'Mass of Atonement' in Brookfield Acknowledges Clergy Sexual Abuse

Milwaukee Archdiocese’s annual “Mass of Atonement”, a special mass in which the church seeks forgiveness for the handling of the clergy who have sexually abused children, was held St. John Vianney in Brookfield.

The mass, held on Monday, comes soon after a Wauwatosa priest was suspended from his duties during an investigation of possible inappropriate behavior with a child.

Father Robert Marsicek, 71, was suspended from his duties at St. Pius X Church last month for allegations of inappropriately touching a student. 

Police sought criminal charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child, but a Milwaukee County assistant district attorney declined, saying he did not believe he could prove criminal behavior.

Archbishop Jerome Listecki, who led the mass, says the church recognizes the pain clergy have caused to the children who have been abused, reported FOX6 Now.

A parish in California is also investigating Marsicek for allegations of sexual abuse.