Resurrection Cemetery

WMTV) -- For 15 years, Bishop Robert Morlino led the Diocese of Madison. On Tuesday, he was laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery, more than a week after his death. Morlino passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 24 after a heart attack. On Tuesday morning, people packed St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church to say their final goodbyes. "Today is a great, sad day. It is a great day for our bishop and a sad day for the rest of us," said Tony Butler, a parishioner at the funeral mass. It was a day of mourning for the diocese, but some people said they find joy in their memories of the bishop and his personality. "He was joyful. He always smiled, it was always in his eyes, joy and love. He was a joyful, warm person," said Susan Vanderscheuren, another parishioner. Others said they will remember the bishop's example of love, even in the face of controversy. During his time as bishop, Morlino faced some opposition, especially to his views on same-sex marriage and the LGBTQ community. "He was willing to fight with just love. I wanted to fight with pitchforks and swords and no, we don't do that, we fight with truth and smile," Butler said. "He would invite enemies and say come eat, let’s find one common thing and let’s build on that." Vanderscheuren also said Morlino brought beauty and reverence back to the mass. "He reached something deeper within you and he was such a father and a shepherd, but to guide you a path to God, the biggest meaning of our lives, so he was huge," she said. Another priority of Morlino's was recruiting more men to the priesthood. While he was bishop, he ordained 40 new priests. Butler thinks Morlino was able to connect to young peopl...