08-31-2018, 12:01 PM
Pope Francis is under increasing pressure from his detractors in the Catholic hierarchy and from congregants.
Thousands of Catholic women have signed off on a letter compelling Francis to answer questions about what one of his conservative detractors (Archbishop Vigano) is alleging.
Here's a snip of the letter:
Your Holiness: We write to you, Holy Father, to pose questions that need answers.
We are Catholic women deeply committed to our faith and profoundly grateful for Church teachings, the Sacraments, and the many good bishops and priests who have blessed our lives.
Our hearts are broken, our faith tested, by the escalating crisis engulfing our beloved Church. We are angry, betrayed and disillusioned. The pain and suffering of the victims never ends, as each news cycle brings more horrific revelations of sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, cover-ups, and deceit—even at the Church's highest levels.
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò's recent statement impels us to reach out to you directly for answers. His testimony accuses you, Holy Father, and highly placed cardinals of turning a blind eye to former Cardinal McCarrick's egregious behavior, and promoting this predator as a global spokesman and spiritual leader. Is this true?
To your hurting flock, Pope Francis, your words are inadequate. They sting, reminiscent of the clericalism you so recently condemned. We need leadership, truth, and transparency. We, your flock, deserve your answers now.
Specifically, we humbly implore you to answer the following questions, as the answers are surely known to you. Archbishop Viganò says that in June 2013 he conveyed to you this message (in essence) about then-Cardinal McCarrick:
'He corrupted generations of seminarians and priests and Pope Benedict ordered him to withdraw to a life of prayer and penance.'
Is this true? What did Archbishop Viganò convey to you in June 2013 about then-Cardinal McCarrick?
(continued)
Thousands of Catholic women have signed off on a letter compelling Francis to answer questions about what one of his conservative detractors (Archbishop Vigano) is alleging.
Here's a snip of the letter:
Your Holiness: We write to you, Holy Father, to pose questions that need answers.
We are Catholic women deeply committed to our faith and profoundly grateful for Church teachings, the Sacraments, and the many good bishops and priests who have blessed our lives.
Our hearts are broken, our faith tested, by the escalating crisis engulfing our beloved Church. We are angry, betrayed and disillusioned. The pain and suffering of the victims never ends, as each news cycle brings more horrific revelations of sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, cover-ups, and deceit—even at the Church's highest levels.
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò's recent statement impels us to reach out to you directly for answers. His testimony accuses you, Holy Father, and highly placed cardinals of turning a blind eye to former Cardinal McCarrick's egregious behavior, and promoting this predator as a global spokesman and spiritual leader. Is this true?
To your hurting flock, Pope Francis, your words are inadequate. They sting, reminiscent of the clericalism you so recently condemned. We need leadership, truth, and transparency. We, your flock, deserve your answers now.
Specifically, we humbly implore you to answer the following questions, as the answers are surely known to you. Archbishop Viganò says that in June 2013 he conveyed to you this message (in essence) about then-Cardinal McCarrick:
'He corrupted generations of seminarians and priests and Pope Benedict ordered him to withdraw to a life of prayer and penance.'
Is this true? What did Archbishop Viganò convey to you in June 2013 about then-Cardinal McCarrick?
(continued)