Ex-Nuncio Accuses Pope Francis of Failing to Act on McCarrick’s Abuse

National Catholic Register ^ | August 25, 2018 | Edward Pentin

[Antoninus]

In an extraordinary 11-page written testament, a former apostolic nuncio to the United States has accused several senior prelates of complicity in covering up Archbishop Theodore McCarrick’s allegations of sexual abuse, and has claimed that Pope Francis knew about sanctions imposed on then-Cardinal McCarrick by Pope Benedict XVI but chose to repeal them.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, 77, who served as apostolic nuncio in Washington D.C. from 2011 to 2016, said that in the late 2000s, Benedict had “imposed on Cardinal McCarrick sanctions similar to those now imposed on him by Pope Francis” and that Viganò personally told Pope Francis about those sanctions in 2013.

Archbishop Viganò said in his written statement, simultaneously released to the Register and other media, (see full text below) that Pope Francis “continued to cover” for McCarrick and not only did he “not take into account the sanctions that Pope Benedict had imposed on him” but also made McCarrick “his trusted counselor.” Viganò said that the former archbishop of Washington advised the Pope to appoint a number of bishops in the United States, including Cardinals Blase Cupich of Chicago and Joseph Tobin of Newark.

Archbishop Viganò, who said his “conscience dictates” that the truth be known as “the corruption has reached the very top of the Church’s hierarchy,” ended his testimony by calling on Pope Francis and all of those implicated in the cover up of Archbishop McCarrick’s abuse to resign.

[Antoninus]

This is a long article that includes the 10 page letter from Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, ex-Nuncio to the United States. Go there and read it.

He names names, including Pope Francis himself. It says, at the end, "In this extremely dramatic moment for the universal Church, he must acknowledge his mistakes and, in keeping with the proclaimed principle of zero tolerance, Pope Francis must be the first to set a good example for cardinals and b ishops who covered up McCarrick’s abuses and resign along with all of them."

[Antoninus]

Other quotes from the letter:

"Francis is abdicating the mandate which Christ gave to Peter to confirm the brethren. Indeed, by his action he has divided them, led them into error, and encouraged the wolves to continue to tear apart the sheep of Christ’s flock.

"The appointments of Blase Cupich to Chicago and Joseph W. Tobin to Newark were orchestrated by McCarrick, Maradiaga and Wuerl, united by a wicked pact of abuses by the first, and at least of coverup of abuses by the other two. Their names were not among those presented by the Nunciature for Chicago and Newark."

"Indeed, I also knew how certain Cardinals such as Mahony, Levada and Wuerl, were closely linked to McCarrick; they had opposed the most recent appointments made by Pope Benedict, for important posts such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Denver and San Francisco."

This really blows the lid off of things. May God cleanse His Church!

[Slyfox]

Remember that feeling when Trump took over from Obuma and you knew that the adults were back in charge?

Just like now, if Benedict does come back, he will have to clean up the real stinking mess Frankie and his pals have created.

[FrdmLvr]

From what I’ve heard, Ratzinger resigned in the wake of the Vatican sex scandal. So that’s not gonna work.

[Slyfox]

Yesterday there was posted an 11 page testimony from a papal nuncio who stated that when Benedict found out about McCarrick he gave him the appropriate punishment. However, when Frankie took over he rescinded the punishment and then elevated him to cardinal. It is all Frankie’s deal. I read it last night.

[dfwgator]

Unfortunately, Benedict is too old now.

I really wish it could have been Cardinal Arinze, of Nigeria, but he’s 85 now. He’s probably one of the most conservative Cardinals, and a Pope from Africa would have sent a powerful message.

[Hieronymus]

There are a handful of good “young” ones out there.

[Slyfox]

Frankie needs to be shown the door. I would like to see Benedict back in charge and appoint Cardinal Burke to be his point man on the ground.

What has Frankie done? He put real a-holes in charge of everything, demoting and slandering the very best. Morale is the lowest it has ever been, with priests and the faithful.

No one says Benedict can't put together a trusted group to do all his responsibilities to where he never has to leave his room. Kinda like his very own Q team.

[Slyfox]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3682337/posts?page=1

[FrdmLvr]

I was a little shocked when I first started hearing accounts of it, but the more I read, the rumors seemed to be backed up as far as I could tell.

[Antoninus]

From what I’ve heard, Ratzinger resigned in the wake of the Vatican sex scandal. So that’s not gonna work.

Based on my estimation, Benedict XVI is at least guilty of not acting aggressively as he should have to attack this rot and clean it out. He would not be my choice to come back.