A Catholic women’s group has called for Pope Francis to issue a “direct response” to Archbishop Viganò’s claims, condemning his response to date as “inadequate”.
The 750-word letter, published on August 30 by the Washington DC-based Catholic Women’s Forum (CWF), has gained 14,000 signatures so far.
“Our hearts are broken, our faith tested, by the escalating crisis engulfing our beloved Church,” the letter said, referring to the controversy surrounding Archbishop Viganò’s written testimony, released last weekend.
Referring to the “devastating allegations” contained within it, the letter called for a “direct response”.
After Viganò’s letter was distributed, Pope Francis said on Sunday: “I read the statement this morning, and I must tell you sincerely that, I must say this, to you and all those who are interested: Read the statement carefully and make your own judgment.”
“To your hurting flock, Pope Francis, your words are inadequate,” the letter said.
It implored the Pope to answer specific questions, occasioned by Archbishop Viganò’s letter, concerning his knowledge of sexual misconduct allegations surrounding McCarrick.
“Please do not turn from us. You’ve committed yourself to changing clerical ways in the Church. That a cardinal would prey on seminarians is abhorrent. We need to know we can trust you to be honest with us about what happened. The victims who have suffered so greatly need to know they can trust you.”
The CWF is an international network established by the Ethics and Public Policy Center, a conservative think tank, in 2014. It aimed to respond to Pope Francis’s call for women to be a “more effective presence” in the Church. The address to Francis is signed by its director, Mary Rice Hasson.
Full story at The Catholic Herald.
A bit of specifics would help. What in the Pope’ response does the group find inadequate?
His total NON RESPONSE how’s that…he is either stupid or purely corrupt…
Is that a serious question? “I will not say one word” is the Pope’s response and you ask what was inadequate?
What we’re learning is that the pope can’t be trusted. That’s the problem. That’s why this is one of the biggest scandals in the Church’s history.
Maybe the part not reported where he said I will not say one word on this
It would be in the Pope’s best interest to bring all the Cardinal Electors that he has chosen back to the Vatican to shield them from arrest. That way they will be able to vote in the next Papal conclave for a Pope who is a member of the homosexual mafia and the venereal racketeering can continue supported by the donations of the faithful.
After Pope Francis steps down,he will go into hiding for a while,perhaps in his native argentina,perhaps in northern Italy. Some years later he will give interviews and explain that his ouster was manufactured by a merciless heterosexuality lobby mesmerized by Pharisees and clericalism. The Chinese government will offer him asylum,fondly remembering is appreciation of their example as the highest actualization of gospel values
Who do people think they are? A bunch of women or any lay people demanding answers from the Pope? The Internet fosters narcissism.
He doesn’t have to answer to anybody. He’s the Pope.
The clergy does not have to answer to anyone line was used with the altar boys. I guess we are all supposed to be a bunch of altar boys for the Pope.
No. Clergy answer to their bishop. Bishops answer to the Pope. The Pope does not answer to anyone. There is no person or entity that can discipline him.
Your response was very bitter and if you are victim of any kind of clerical abuse, including the mental abuse of watching clergy not be faithful to the Church, I am with you. I am one of you.
It is very inflammatory for you to tell the lay people that they must live with sex abuse scandals because the Pope is untouchable!
You don’t have to live with sex abuse scandals in the Church. It has nothing to do with the Pope.
Well, I don’t care if he’s the Pope and doesn’t have to answer. Certainly, I have no Church authority to compel answers from the Pope. But, I don’t have to donate either. Going to mass and donations are the only way the laity can communicate, and I’m darn well going to communicate. The hierarchy is NOT going to use my money to abuse children and cover up their crimes.
Not only are his words inadequate, his pontificate is inadequate. And incoherent. And destructive. And corrupt.
Hahaha, that “Anonymous” is a killer!! Nope, the Pope is a freebie, not answerable to anyone. What . . . Wrong! Let’s see, doesn’t Christ say, “And he that will be first among you, shall be your servant.” (Matt. 20:27). Also, isn’t the Pope the “Servant of the servants of God.” (Servus servorum Dei)
A Pope answers to all Catholics. He is not only an earthly ruler, but, more importantly, Christ’s Vicar. And He came to “to minister, and to give his life a redemption for many.” (Matt. 20:28). This is a clue as to the silence of Francis.
So you think the Pope should answer to the gay Catholics and the pro-choice Catholics?
He is Christ’s Vicar.
Like all of us, he must answer to the Lord.
You point is what, exactly, “Anonymous.” Certainly the Pope should respond to Gay and Pro-Choice Catholics that entreat him to change doctrine. His responses would be to teach them the Gospel and the Tradition of the Church. Christ said that, “I came not to call the just, but sinners to penance.” (Luke 5:32) The failure of Francis is that he refuses to teach sinners, but seems to rejoice in their obvious sins. The Pope needs to lovingly point out to sinners that (1) what they are doing is wrong, (2) that they will surely pay for their sins after death unless, . . . (2) they repent and change their lives to please God. The Pope does not exist to be a hermit.
He has said that sinners need to repent, convert or they will end up in hell. Multiple times.
“Anonymous”: Not really. The public record of the Pope does not show much adherence to doctrine or Tradition (including his usual failures to genuflect at Mass). It is easy to say, when convenient: “sinners should stop sinning.” All totalitarian rulers were kind to children, dogs, and mothers (lots of pictures of Hitler, Stalin and others doing so). But the Pope calls pollution a serious sin, and seems far more concerned about global warming than about people that fornicate or receive communion in mortal sin. (No one can square Amoris Laetitia, for example, with Church Tradition or doctrine.) Sorry, “Anon,” buy your guy seems not to believe in Hell.
Now the men…Scott Hahn among them. I still think it is inappropriate. Or if they feel the need, they should each write individual letters.
Story is on CNA.