Pope accepts resignation of Cardinal Donald Wuerl following claims of cover-up
Cardinal Donald Wuerl’s resignation was accepted by the Vatican on Friday after months of mounting pressure, following revelations of systematic abuse by priests in the state of Pennsylvania, and a cover-up by bishops. Wuerl was bishop of Pittsburgh from 1988 to 2006.
'The archbishop of Washington has become the most senior figure in the Catholic church to quit in the sexual abuse scandal that has engulfed the Vatican and embroiled Pope Francis.
The state’s attorney general, Josh Shapiro, said Wuerl “oversaw and participated in the cover-up”.
Wuerl offered his resignation when he turned 75 almost three years ago, as required under canon law, but Pope Francis kept him in post. He resubmitted his resignation last month.
In a statement, he said his departure “permits this local church to move forward”, adding: “Once again, for any past errors in judgment, I apologise and ask for pardon.”
I'm sure the apology will help victims tremendously. /s
In an emollient letter accepting Wuerl’s resignation, Pope Francis said: “You have sufficient elements to ‘justify’ your actions and distinguish between what it means to cover up crimes or not to deal with problems, and to commit some mistakes.'
Err....what?! 'Sufficient elements to justify' his actions? It's 'not to deal with problems' now, not a cover-up? Some mistakes? Gosh, the Pope should really consider to just shut up. On the other hand, here as in other statements, his true colours show.
“However, your nobility has led you not to choose this way of defence. Of this, I am proud and thank you.”
He dares to speak of nobility?
But in a move likely to anger abuse survivors, the pontiff said Wuerl would stay on as the archdiocese’s caretaker until the appointment of his successor. He is also expected to remain a cardinal, helping appoint US bishops and choose Francis’s successor.
Note to anyone who puts hope that a potential axing of Francis will change things for the better: Please read the last sentence carefully. That he will remain a Cardinal is a slap in the face of abuse survivors.
Wuerl had attempted to downplay his role in the cover-up of sexual abuse in the state, which was set out in graphic detail in a grand jury report.
The report said he had approved transfers for abusers rather than removing them from ministry, and had withheld information when priests were reported to police and other authorities. He also offered financial support to priests accused of child sexual abuse.
Responding to the report, the cardinal said he had “acted with diligence, with concern for the victims and to prevent future acts of abuse”. Concern for the victims - yeah, right. /s
There was also widespread scepticism over his insistence that he knew nothing about years of alleged sexual misconduct by his predecessor as archbishop of Washington, Theodore McCarrick.
McCarrick resigned as a cardinal in July after he was accused of the sexual abuse of two children, following decades of rumours about sexual misconduct with trainee priests. McCarrick, 88, denied the charges.
In August, a retired Vatican diplomat [Archbishop Vigano] released an incendiary 11-page letter claiming Francis had known of abuse allegations against McCarrick from 2013 but failed to take action.
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, 77, a former Vatican ambassador to the US and a conservative within the church, said the pope knew the former archbishop “was a corrupt man, [but] he covered for him to the bitter end”.
Viganò named a string of cardinals and archbishops who he said also knew about the claims. Calling on the pope to resign, he said: “Corruption has reached the very top of the church’s hierarchy.”
The letter galvanised Francis’s many enemies within the church and unleashed a torrent of accusations and personal attacks.
A recent survey of US Catholics by Pew Research Center found confidence in the pope’s handling of the sexual abuse crisis had plummeted.
More than one-third of Catholics believe the pope is doing a “poor” job on the issue of sexual abuse – three times the proportion in 2015.
The proportion of Catholics who have a generally favourable opinion of Francis has fallen by 12 points this year, down to roughly 70%. Only 30% say they have a “very favourable” view of the pope.
Since the publication of the Pennsylvania grand jury report, at least 13 US states have opened official investigations.
Source.
@srayzie @bopper @Shizy @MolochHunter @Crensch
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[–] srayzie 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
It amazes me that resigning will probably be all that comes of this. No trial. No prison.
[–] think- [S] ago (edited ago)
Yes, and notice that he is going to stay a Cardinal. Which means he will be able to elect Francis' successor, at least if Francis steps down in the next two years (then Wuerl will be turning 80, and not be a member of the election committee anymore IIRC).
[–] srayzie 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Yep. It just makes me sick.
[–] UK_Bloke_Awoke 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Presume this will open deserved floodgates to reparations claims on the VATICAN ?
[–] think- [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago (edited ago)
Not sure about his case, @Carmencita will know the details. But so far 13 US States have announced to launch similar grand jury investigations as Pennsylvania, that has presented a report about clergy crimes recently.
You can bet that lots of floodgates will get opened once the new reports will be published in two or three years - the Church will be finished then imo.
We'll have to keep the pressure up, and also continue the fight for the abolishment of statute of limitations in cases of sexual abuse.
[–] carmencita 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
This will certainly fuel the situation. Everything that is coming out will only embolden Catholics and Victims to come forward against the RCC. They are livid and at this point nothing will stop this Freight Train.
[–] tradstew 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Sooner or later we will have to come to grips that the actions of the "St. Gallan Mafia" & rendered this Papacy null & void. It was a clear violation of Cannon Law, and said Cardinal was right in the middle of all this sht. Now they are lapping it up with drug induced gay orgies while rewriting teachings of the church. Hollywood couldn't make this up if the plot was on Satan himself. The Vatican is ground zero for evil on this earth...and yes, this from a cradle Catholic.
[–] think- [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago (edited ago)
Everything you say is true, and I can't wait seeing this bastard stepping down. Sadly though, conservative priests, bishops and cardinals have also been involved in crimes and cover-ups (Popes John Paul II and Benedict VI are as guilty as Francis), so while the globalist agenda might be abandoned, the crimes and the cover-ups might continue.
[–] tradstew ago
The most fascinating part of these days is the simultaneous, coordinated infiltration of the Church and the development of the Deep State. Evil against man by the deep state, evil against the soul by the church. One could almost write a book detailing the corresponding dates of actions and milestones in both arenas. Just as we are not only speaking of the USA, I'm not just speaking of the Catholic Church. Amazing time to be alive. (Regarding JPII and Benedict vs. Frank, there are areas where some are mislead, then there those who actively implement. Frank is set out to destroy Biblical truths, JPII and Benedict were too naive or mislead so to not interfere with the ground work.)
[–] OneIssue 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
The Pope could no longer give him cover. I wonder who is covering for the Pope?
[–] think- [S] ago (edited ago)
Look into the different factions in the Knights of Malta order. This will answer parts of your question.
[–] Vanguard123 ago
We can't even trust the Church. The end of times are here.
[–] think- [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I don't think so.
[–] think- [S] ago (edited ago)
@Carmencita, would you consider crossposting your Church Militant comment to this thread? That would be terrific, thanks! :-)