Catholics make voices heard in Madison

Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki recounts in the Milwaukee Catholic Herald that at the recent Catholics at the Capitol event,

Lunch included a surprise visit by Gov. Scott Walker who graciously took time out of his very busy schedule to address the gathering. He praised the Catholics present for their interest in the political process and presented his budget proposal in light of some of our common social goals.

This is the first time in eight years of my attendance at this event that the governor has addressed Catholics at the Capitol. Whether one agrees with the governor’s positions or not, it was a wonderful mark of leadership and a respect for faith-based advocacy groups.

Regarding those eight years, Scott Walker became governor in 2011 [link corrected --ed.], succeeding Jim Doyle, governor 2003-2011. While Gov. Walker's appearance was not announced in advance, I assume it was not literally a surprise.

At the Madison Catholic Herald, Mary C. Uhler also reports on the event and the Governor's remarks.