MILWAUKEE -- Wearing a simple white alb, crimson zucchetto, his favorite pectoral cross and purple stole of penance, former Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland used carefully chosen words and visible acts of contrition in a public apology during a prayer service in a chapel at the archdiocesan center May 31.

During a seven-minute homily delivered in somber, sometimes faltering tones, a gaunt Archbishop Weakland apologized five times.

Once he finished speaking, the clearly grief-stricken gathering of 400 rose in sustained applause, as their former archbishop knelt before them, shoulders hunched, hands shaking.

Acknowledging that there can be "no healing" for the church and the Catholic community "unless it is based on truth," Archbishop Weakland began by saying: "I come before you today to apologize and beg forgiveness. ... I apologize to all the faithful of this archdiocese which I love so much, to all its people and clergy, for the scandal that has occurred because of my sinfulness."

The archbishop also apologized "for any harm done" to Paul Marcoux. On May 23, Marcoux went public with accusations of sexual abuse by Archbishop Weakland in the late 1970s, while Marcoux was in his early 30s attending graduate courses at Milwaukee's Marquette University.

Marcoux said he was paid $450,000 by the Milwaukee Archdiocese in 1997 to remain quiet about the abuse, and produced a letter written to him in 1980 in which Archbishop Weakland discussed the "pain of deep love" in their relationship.

In a public statement issued on the day Marcoux's allegations broke, Archbishop Weakland denied Marcoux's claim, saying he had "never abused anyone."

While Archbishop Weakland's apology did not go into detail other than to pinpoint a 1979 time frame, he said in his apology, "I acknowledge and fully accept my responsibility for the inappropriate nature of my relationship with Mr. Paul Marcoux."

Archbishop Weakland said that, at the time, he "did not understand" his responsibility.

The 75-year-old archbishop, whose request to retire was accepted by the Vatican May 24 -- the day following first news reports on the relationship -- also said that since that time he has "come to see and understand the way in which the power of the Roman collar can work in such relationships, and even more so, a bishop's miter."

Instead of linking the financial payment to the relationship, however, Archbishop Weakland pointed out in his apology that he "understood the settlement agreement in question as compensation for Paul Marcoux because of the claim that I had interfered with his ability to earn income."

In the 1998 settlement agreement involving Marcoux, Archbishop Weakland and the Milwaukee Archdiocese, Marcoux's "claims against the archdiocese and the archbishop" include, "without limitation, intentional interference with contractual relations, breach of fiduciary duty and trust; reckless hiring, retention, supervision, and training; sexual assault and battery; and intentional infliction of emotional distress."

The contractual reference in the settlement agreement reportedly relates to Marcoux's efforts to gain funding for his fledgling Christodrama video business from various Catholic institutions and dioceses which might have been influenced in some way by Archbishop Weakland.

Asked about the context of the settlement, Jerry Topczewski, archdiocesan spokesman, said, "When you have two parties who disagree with the facts of the situation, settlement is the obvious legal course. Certainly mounting attorneys' fees were involved -- we have to rely on legal counsel in these types of cases and many others."

In his apology, Archbishop Weakland conceded "there is understandable concern" about the payment. He said the payment did not come from the annual Catholic Stewardship Appeal or from "any diocesan funds designated for charitable or pastoral work."

"Perhaps I should have handled this situation differently," he said. "If I had done so, there would still have been sizable costs to the church, but at least it would have been out in the open. One of my fears in not accepting the settlement was the prospect of scandal and embarrassment for myself and for the church. For that lack of courage, I apologize."

Archbishop Weakland also said he had erred in the assertion made in his first public statement on the settlement in saying his earnings during 25 years as archbishop, from writing, speeches and other honoraria "far exceed any settlement amount."

"To my continued embarrassment, I now am told that is not true," he admitted.

In a statement released after the service, the archdiocese said the stipends, honorariums, and gifts it has received because of Archbishop Weakland's work total $148,928.82. That amount has earned $47,794.38 in interest over the years, for a total of $196,723 since June 30, 1978 -- Archbishop Weakland's first fiscal year in office -- and is maintained in a separate, interest-bearing account, according to the statement.

To make restitution, Archbishop Weakland pledged in his "remaining years" to "contribute to the archdiocese whatever I can, and of course, the archdiocese will receive whatever effects I own on my death."

Following the service, Archbishop Weakland returned to seclusion in his residence on the St. Francis Seminary grounds. It was not clear whether he will proceed with plans to move into an apartment prepared for his retirement at the Archbishop Cousins Catholic Center.