Former U.S. Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò has strongly criticized Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory as a “false shepherd” for rebuking the John Paul II National Shrine for “allowing” President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to go through with a long-planned visit yesterday.
“Unfortunately, the Catholic Church is led by many false pastors,” stated Viganò in a June 3 letter to priests and laity of the archdiocese of Washington.
“Over the past twenty years, your [archdiocese] of Washington, in particular and now for the third time, has been and continues to be deeply afflicted and wounded by false shepherds whose way of life is full of lies, deceits, lust and corruption. Wherever they have been, they were a cause of serious scandal for various local Churches, for your entire country and for the whole Church,” he continued.
Archbishops of Washington immediately preceding Gregory were Cardinal Donald William Wuerl (implicated in sex abuse cover-ups) and ex-cardinal Theodore Edgar McCarrick (credibly accused of abusing seminarians and accused of serial sex abuse). It is suspected that Wuerl had some hand in securing his successor. Gregory is known for his support for homosexuality and other unorthodox positions.
“Do not follow them, as they lead you to perdition. They are mercenaries. They teach and practice falsehoods and corruption!” stated Viganò.
“Follow with perseverance the teachings and examples of the holy pastors and priests who are among you,” he added.
The president and Mrs. Trump visited the shrine to commemorate Pope Saint John Paul II’s 100th birthday two weeks ago and the 41st anniversary of the modern day saint’s historic Mass at Victory Square in Warsaw. Melania Trump is the first Catholic First Lady since Jacqueline Kennedy.
After his visit to the shrine, established and operated by the Knights of Columbus, President Trump planned to return to the White House to sign an executive order on international religious freedom.
Washington, D.C.’s Archbishop Wilton Gregory was incensed that the John Paul II National Shrine would “allow” the visit.
“I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles, which call us to defend the rights of all people even those with whom we might disagree,” said Gregory in a statement released the very hour of Trump’s visit….
A spokesperson for the shrine indicated on Tuesday that the White House had scheduled the president’s visit long before the recent violent uprisings in cities across the nation, countering Gregory’s implication that this was nothing more than a political photo op….
The above comes from a June 3 story in LifeSiteNews.
A big Thank You to Archbishop Vigano for saying so! There are many bad bishops who must be outed as such by name.
This was an act of charity from Vigano to the faithful.
Kristin is wrong. It is never an “act of charity” to call an anointed shepherd of the Church, “false” as publicly and brazenly as Vigano did. It breeds disunity in the Church, it breeds inciting hatred especially for the clergy, it incites a corrosion of other people’s Catholic faith. And I am saying this as one who supports Trump, btw, and totally supports his visiting the Shrine. Vigano has not done an “act of charity” for the faithful; he has done a service for himself, from his hiding place, lest people forget all about him.
On no she isn’t. She’s exactly right. You seem to forget Archbishop Gregory had ties to homosexual/pedophile Cardinal McCarrick covering-up for his homosexual abuse. And beside why would he call out Trump if not for score political points and sympathy from the unhinged Left.
jon, appreciate the TRUTH of what Vigano has been saying about his brother archbishop. President Trump triggers Archbishop Gregory, who is simply lashing out at a politician with whom he disagrees.
Surprising to hear jon, that you support President Trump, a leader who vigorously defends the death penalty.
Regardless of a bishop’s personal views, no one (get that) no one — not even an ex-nuncio in hiding — is canonically allowed to call that same bishop — a legitimately anointed minister of the Church — “false.” When you do indeed encounter a bishop whose personal views are contrary to yours what you may do is that you pray for that bishop, you might even have it in your heart to write to him. But publicly announcing that such a bishop is “false” is wrong. WRONG.
It’s not wrong, in fact, there’s even a name for it – “Fraternal Correction”.
Who is judging who? Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t Archbishop Gregory start this?
Please people: This is far from “fraternal correction.” Fraternal correction, when done properly, is in private. Gregory may have started this, but you people exacerbate the scandal by “applauding” or at least condoning Vigano’s words. Two wrongs don’t make a right, people.
Jon, your claim that fraternal correction must be private is your own private interpretation of what constitutes fraternal correction,
Maybe Archbishop Gregory should have taken your advice and not butt in and try to score political points with his liberal base…He started this let’s not forget….
Dan is completely wrong. That fraternal correction is done, at least initially, in private is NOT my “private interpretation,” BUT is rather Our Lord’s own instruction! “But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother” (Matthew 18:15). People should really think things through–or read their Bibles–before commenting here.
So jon, are you in a tizzy because of what Vigano said, or that it was said publicly?
And btw, you never explained why you are a supporter of President Trump who vigorously and rightly defends the death penalty.
jon, the entire passage of Matthew 18:15-20 must be read as a whole, not just the passage you quoted. There is a progression from individual confrontation to group confrontation to appeal before the entire church. You are in no position to know of past attempts by AB Vigano to confront AB Gregory over his failure as an AB, and of AB Gregory’s response(s). Jesus apparently thought fraternal correction in all its dimension as described by these verses to be of utmost importance. Anyone refusing to acknowledge their sin (and that definitely would, in the case of obstinate refusal to own it, have to be publicly) should be shunned as outside the fellowship of believers. (v. 17). AB Vigano knows what the sins of these upper-tier clergy are and it seems to most of us that these same are not easily given to compunction and repentance. You should be grateful that AB Vigano is bravely holding fast to the black and white Truth, and not living in the grey swampy mist where it seems others thrive.
Dan’s point is very wrong. He writes: “You are in no position to know of past attempts by AB Vigano to confront AB Gregory over his failure as an AB.” Dan, we’re not talking about “past attempts”. We’re talking Vigano’s scandalous words related to the visit of the POTUS to a Catholic shrine.
So, what you’re saying is that a bishop can do anything and not get called out because “unity” is more important than truth? Even the apostles rebuked false teachers. For how long do we have to put up with utter corruption on the part of our prelates? Evil has infiltrated and it needs the light of day to be exposed. Vigano is a true shepherd.
pat2bduges , If you are new to this site look up some of jons old posts , it tells you everything you need to know.
Pretty sure Jesus was right to call the pharisees blind guides and a brood of vipers. “They shut out the kingdom of heaven against men. They do not go in themselves, nor do they let others enter.” What good is “unity” if everyone goes off a cliff together? Archbishop Vigano gave an off ramp to the faithful who know instinctively when they are being misled.
Pat2budges and John Salinas are so wrong on so many levels:
1) pat2 asks if unity is more important than the truth. Please. Vigano said nothing except call Gregory a “false shepherd” which is patently false because Gregory is a legitimately appointed and anointed bishop of the Church.
2) pat2 asks rhetorically “how long do we have to put up with utter corruption on the part of prelates.” If pat2 were talking about the abuse crisis, there’s the Dallas Charter and the updates for safe environment. Otherwise, pat2 needs to be more specific about what he/she means because you cannot call the legitimate exercise of a prelate’s ministry “corrupt,” and there are many who would argue that Gregory’s words are a legitimate exercise of his ministry. Also, very few from the African American community will call Gregory’s words “corrupt.” Therefore pat2’s expression here is debatable; I call it histrionic.
3). pat2 calls Vigano a true shepherd. A true shepherd does not go into hiding.
4). John Salinas’ point is very confusing. What the pharisees in Our Lord’s time had anything to do with our present situation is beyond me. But, if John Salinas were truly concerned that “everyone” may be going “off a cliff together,” he should be more specific about what that “cliff” is because there are many who will argue that the particular “cliff” that Gregory wants the Church to avoid is the politicization of Catholic shrines, sites, symbols. But Vigano has fallen over the cliff of creating scandal; and then folks like Kristin, Ronnie, Dan, and John Salinas have joined him by falling over the precipice of condoning scandal. Pathetic.
Archbishop Gregory used this incident to scold and lecture Trump:.That’ the real scandal and it is pathetic.
“I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles, which call us to defend the rights of all people even those with whom we might disagree,” Apparently that last sentence doesn’t apply to President Trump who he disagrees with. But pro-abortion, pro-homosexual Nancy Pelosi he’s ok with in his church’s pulpit. And let’s not forget this isn’t the first time. When he was first made Archbishop (8/1/19) of Washington DC he slammed Trump but failed to mention the systematic racism in the aborting of his people. It’s pathetic all right.
Because he dares speak “truth to power”, Archbishop Vigano is in a situation requiring his location to be kept private from those who would do him harm. For a man in his position to take such action tells you he knows who and what his enemies are capable of doing, so don’t diminish the possibilities.
There are folks like Ronnie and Kristin who have put their politics before reverence and respect for the anointed shepherds of the Church. For these folks, politics trump their religion. But people, let us be under no illusion. Gregory, though you might not like his politics, was not creating a “scandal” by “speaking truth to power” at Trump. The scandal here is a bishop of the Church openly and brazenly attacking a brother bishop. This may have happened in the long past history of the Church; but seldom in our time. And people like Kristin and Ronnie who seem to wallow in stories of Church intrigues and scandals lap it up and applaud it. That’s pathetic.
Wrong again jon! A well ordered person’s political opinions flow from their religious faith, as mine do, not the other way around as you suggest. Disagree as you like, but my points are clear and not in need of your analysis, which truly is pathetic.
It is Archbishop Gregory “who have put their politics before reverence and respect for the anointed shepherds of the Church” or anyone else in the Church. And let’s not forget that Gregory has strong ties to McCarrick and the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin a highly influential progressive who, like Wuerl, helped hide priestly abuse in Chicago for decades. Now that’s a real scandal!
What’s pathetic is the politics being played by Gregory and Jon’s cluelessness to see it. I guess the “truth” hurts.
Marco Tosatti writes the letters for the archbishop, right? He is Italian, right? He only uses certain websites like OnePeterFive and LifeSiteNews, right? He must have some kind of alert on his phone to even know about Archbishop Gregory’s comment that fast, right? Then he can write a letter to all the people of the Archdiocese of Washington DC and the President of the United States that is not even sent to them but put online, right? How would he even had time to get the real Archbishop Vigano’s input? And how would either Tosotti or Vigano know anything about the US Deep State? Of course they have been in lockdown with nothing better to do than study President Trump, right?
Kristin’s and Ronnie’s latest comments demonstrate that they have basically condoned scandal. Regardless of what Archbishop Gregory have said (for which he will give an account on the Last Day), the fact remains that Vigano’s words are a cause of scandal (for which Vigano too will have to give an account).
Maybe it’s Archbishop Gregory who will have to give an account of his cover-up of the homosexual sex abuse scandal. And breaking news: Archbishop knew in advance about Trump’s visit and was even invited. He declined due to other commitments! Gregory’s office declined “the kind invitation to attend the event celebrating International Religious Freedom on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at the Saint John Paul II Shrine.“ . So apparently he had a change of heart….laughable…
If I may, Ronnie and Kristin: There are many who will have legitimate cause to stand behind Gregory’s words in light of today’s mood and events.
“There are many who will have legitimate cause to stand behind Gregory’s words in light of today’s mood and events.” Don’t think so considering he was caught lying about the event and his apparent graciousness in decline to attend.
The issue here Ronnie that I am bringing up is NOT Gregory’s deficiencies, but Vigano’s and those who applaud his scandalous heresy. Your bringing up Gregory is a futile deflection from my main point.
Praise and Glory to Jesus and His Beautiful Blessed Mother Mary that our church still has SOME shepherds who lead like Jesus! Thank you Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano for your courage in writing such a BEAUTIFUL and spot on letter. As a practicing Catholic, who LOVES our faith, I am heartbroken and embarrassed by many of our priests, bishops and the current pope. Because of their lack of leadership, our churches are empty. YES EMPTY!
For the first time in decades we have a president that protects our babies, isn’t afraid the say “God Bless America,” fights for our churches to be open and has special days for “PRAYER!” It makes you “WONDER WHY” so many in our church, both celery and lay, oppose President Trump!
I could point out an obvious flaw in the hoax but I don’t want to give the hoaxers a heads up.
Let’s see. Pres Trump visited two major churches in the immediate area in the last two days. Apparently he did not have the courtesy to inform either Bishop he was visiting.
Mike m, The President was invited to the Saint John Paul II national shrine, operated by the Knights of Columbus. It was scheduled long before the riots for a time when the President would be signing an executive order on religious liberty which benefits not only Catholics and other Christians, but people of all faiths and no faith, around the world. You can defend the archbishop’s ungracious and ungrateful political remarks if you’d like, but maybe you should sent a thank you note to the President and the Knights of Columbus. And, consider joining the Knights and make a difference for the better.
Thank you!
Does a parishioner need to inform the priest or the bishop of that church when visiting, especially if the visit has a very special meaning to it like celebrating an occasion? A devout catholic, as the first lady had a very meaningful event in her life she wanted to come, to go to church as most of us catholics do to praise and thank God for such blessings. Let’s not politicize everything, especially when it comes to serving and praying to God.
Mike m , I think the Secret Service would be the one to inform the facility , it would be part of the security check.
It the responsibility of US, the Faithful, to show our Love for our Church that is also our LOVE for Truth! When we see Falsehood, we a. have a duty to express it:for the good of all!” It is for t he prevention to commit the Sin of Omissions! In the Name of what. is TRue, we have the duty to always speeking the TRUTH without FEAR!
Thank God I am a catholic.All priests,bishops,cardinals and the Pope have a vow to God: Obedience,Chastity and Poverty.
Do not be a scandal to Church.Leave the Church.Do not continue breaking the vows to God daily.
Melanie and Donald went to ask for help to God though Intercession of Paul ,2nd,probably for Peace. No Leader has the courage to show to the world our BIBLE. What a courage!
The homoheresy reigns in our Capital and throughout the Church. Pope Francis makes the worst appointments for the Church. Live long dear Benedict!
For my part I find President Trump brings one ton stones to Christianity. I am voting November 3d.
Vigano! Vigano! Viiiiiiiiiigaaaaaaaaanooooooooo! A true shepherd! We need to listen to him and scatter the demonized clergy out of Holy Mother Church. May God bless President Trump and First Lady, Melania.! May God bless Archbishop Vigano!
“…which call us to defend the rights of all people even those with whom we might disagree,” Well Archbishop, you certainly despise Donald Trump, or shall we back off and say, you disagree with Donald Trump. So how are you defending his rights to honor JP II, and the rights of the JP II National Shrine to invite him to do so? Let others draw from this apparent hypocrisy what they will. I for one wish you a quick exit to a monastery for an extended period of reflection, prayer and penance.
I am a Black Catholic and I am fully support Archbishop Gregory. Trump’s visit to the shrine came against the backdrop of Black Lives Matter protests across the country. The Knights of Colombus grand knight for St. Augustine Catholic Church said their chapter was in “full support of Archbishop Gregory” and his statement to the media.If your purpose is to see yourself as a sign instituted by Christ, then it is baffling to see the president of the United States use their institution as a political backdrop. It’s reprehensible and simply inexcusable. The congregation of St. Augustine Catholic Church is predominately made up of African Americans. As a Black Catholic, there is no better way to tell me that I and other Black Catholic don’t matter in light of what’s going than for Archbishop Vignao to condemn Archbishop Gregory without addressing the blatant racism that Trump perpetuates. Without Archbishop Gregory, the black community would not have a voice. It seems that is what Archbishop Vigano wants since he failed to addressed the events prior that led Archbishop Gregory to condemn Trump’s visit to the shrine. If anyone is a false shepherd, it’s Archbishop Vignao. The racism is staring him in the face and he chooses to ignore it. We will not be ignored anymore. We are hurting and he fails to address that or offer words of comfort. We are not going away and we stand by Archbishop Gregory.
We do not choose our skin color, but we do choose our religious affiliation. Which is more important to you, one that you had no control over, or one you yourself selected?
Both are equally important to me!!!! Your blatant racist response hinting that I am not wanted in the Catholic church is another reasons for the protests. WE ARE TIRED! AND WE ARE TIRED OF BEING TIRED! I am not leaving the Catholic Church no matter how much you obviously wish that I would. When I see an injustice, you can be sure that I will point it out, no matter the perpetrator is. I am not going to fall in line and accept racism. I will definitely do my best to stamp it out and any other injustice that I find. You may not have heard, but racism is a sin. In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.”
“Both are equally important to me!!!! Your blatant racist response hinting that I am not wanted in the Catholic church is another reasons for the protests….” Margot, I have read and re-read Anonymous’ 11:13 a.m. post to you and your response accusing him or her of blatant racism. By bringing up the race card you have effectively silenced any and all dialogue aimed to digging deeper into the true nature of events, which I take to be the intent of Anonymous’ question to you. If I am wrong I should like Anonymous to tell me that this is so. The stifling of thinking into the present-day realities and the substitution of BLM dogma cannot in the long run serve Black lives and may in fact just perpetuate or even deepen the present malaise. At least something to think about.
As the Anonymous 11:13 am poster, let me point out that there was no mention, explicit or implied, that you leave the Church, or that you are unwanted there! YOU brought up race in your first sentence. Vigano’s criticism of Gregory had nothing to do with race, nothing, yet you went right there.
You have chosen to be a Catholic, me too, embrace it before all things, lest you make an idol of the others, race included.
Margot….What happened to George Floyd was sickening and criminal. What happened to the other two African-American men, David Dorn and Patrick Underwood who were killed in the riots, was just as criminal. Don’t their lives matter too? But nothing can take away from the brutality of this one officer with his knee on George Floyd’s neck, I agree. That said where is your evidence that Trump is racist? He’s done more for the Black community than Obama! Remember when the inner city children in DC were deprived of scholarships to go to better schools because Obama objected to “school choice”? And his support of abortion which disproportionately effects and destroys African-Americans lives.
Trump’s visit was planned a long time ago. Should he have canceled, then why? I’m afraid you bought into the liberal talking points that it is the Democrats that help your race when in fact they have done nothing. Just look at the inner cities? Just look at the Black family? Where are the fathers? And how many African American babies are aborted in NYC? More than are born alive unfortunately and yet another Democrat city. Try listening to both sides next time….
I was sickened by Trump’s comments that “this is a great day for George Floyd, after he posted better than expected job numbers. Trump went on to say , “that hopefully, George is looking down right now and saying: “This is a great thing happening for our country.” He said this of a man who died while being restrained by the police.Trump lacks empathy for Mr. Floyd’s family. His remark has drawn outrage from many people. Also, under the Obama administration abortion rate plunged to its lowest level since Roe v. Wade was decided. The birth rates among Black and Hispanic teenagers fell dramatically in the last decade. The abortion rate began declining years ago and continued to plummet under the eight years of the Obama administration. As for the job numbers, the jobless rate for Black and Asian workers increased slightly. Black unemployment rose from 16.7% to 16.8%. Asian unemployment rose by .5% Trump also Trump demeaned a Black reporter, Yamiche Alcindor of PBS, when she asked how the worsening jobless figures for Asians and Blacks a victory? It was a fair question. Trump responded, “You are something.” It was a crucial question. His dismissive attitude towards Ms. Alcindor and the question she raised only emplified the cause of the anti-racism protests riveting the United States. The gap in the job stats is significant. Economists fear that COVID-19 which has already claimed a disproportionate number of Black lives, could destroy the hard-fought job gains of the last decade. What disturbs me is how much longer it will take to make up the gap. Also, not all Blacks are born into families without fathers. My parents were married in 1962 and remained married until my father’s death in 2001. I was born in 1964. Your comment makes it see,s that none of our parents were ever married and that all Blacks come from broken homes and none of us never knew our fathers. I am here to tell you that is just not so! That comment is also part of the problem with the underlying racism that is prevalent in America.
Please stop distorting the truth of what Trump said. It’s almost laughable some of the accusations that the deranged media is accusing Trump of. They are on a rampage to discredit anything Trump says or does because they failed at all the fake scandals that he was suppose to be involved in…like the Russian Hoax. Charlottesville distortion, kids in cages lies, etc. (too numerous to even begin to list here) And what a outrageous lie about Obama and abortion. The reason it declined was because of the efforts of pro-lifers despite pro-infanticide, pro-abortion Obama. I think people have to stop listening to the fake left-wing news. And the majority of black families are without fathers. Look up the statistics not left wing propaganda and fake news…..
Margot, I respectfully ask a sincere question of you. Can you provide some specific examples of “the blatant racism that Trump perpetuates?”
Thank you.
In 1973, Trump, his father and Trump Management were sued by the the Justice Department for racial discrimination because he would not rent apartments in one of his developments to African-Americans. Trump made sure that people who worked for him understood that policy. When an African-American applicant would fill-out an application, the employees would mark the application with a code. They would use C for colored or No. 9. The case was eventually settled. It was front page news.
Thank you. That is one example. I would hope that, like all of us, Mr. Trump has changed in the past 47 years. Do you know why Rev. Jesse Jackson praised Mr. Trump’s commitment to minorities in 1998? Might you provide examples of Mr. Trump’s promotion of racism in the past half decade? We need to find a way forward together out of the scourge of racism. Yet, somehow Mr. Trump’s visiting a Saint John Paul II shrine, after being invited months earlier, on the occasion of signing a religious liberty document, dear to the heart of Saint John Paul II and, I would hope, all of us is being turned into some controversial political matter. The way Blacks have been treated is despicable and indefensible. Yet, we don’t need further divisive rhetoric. We need unity and action on behalf of justice for all. Margot, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. Let us continue to work and pray for justice.
Is this another hoax story from the “deep state”? But even if by some remote chance that he and his father did what you suggest, you don’t believe in Redemption? Look what he’s doing for the African-American people now!
Wow, that was 47 years ago!! Deo Gratias, I’m a completely different person now than I was 47 years ago. I suspect The Donald has changed a bit too since 1973, as demonstrated by his bold actions as President in defense of Life. In many ways, he acts more Catholic than our reigning Pontiff (sad to say).
Even if true, do you not believe that men and societies can change??
More recently, Trump demeaned a Black reporter, Yamiche Alcindor of PBS, when she asked how the worsening jobless figures for Asians and Blacks a victory? It was a fair question. Trump responded, “You are something.” It was a crucial question. His dismissive attitude towards Ms. Alcindor and the question she raised only emplified the cause of the anti-racism protests riveting the United States.
I believe that this woman has some definite race-baiting issues. She is always baiting him and trying to undermine his credibility almost on a daily basis. So she doesn’t like Trump. I get it, but to be trying constantly to “catch” him, (gotcha questions) and trying to find him contradicting himself is undermining her credibility. She is vicious sometimes and Trump I believe is very patient. You can’t have it both ways.
Anti-Racism is code for Anti-White
Alcindor interrupted him as he was signing a document. Her question could have waited. She was and is a rude person. No matter her color.
Amen!!!!!!!! Thank you for finding the words I couldn’t find. God bless you.
Margot , if you stand by gregory research his connections to mccarick , wuerl and others of that ilk, why does he tolerate walter rossi as rector of the National Shrine. Look up the scandal regarding his mansion in Atlanta, ” Without Archbishop Gregory, the black community would not have a voice.” yes you would , it might even be a voice of a man who you could respect , and who is a moral leader in accord with the teachings of the church, one who could lead during difficult times , one whose behavior and writings are used for his parish and his faith , not for divisive partisanship.
Thank you, Archbishop Vigano, for being a voice of truth in the midst of falsehood. Wilton Gregory is a “Judas Priest” and has shown his real agenda by his outrageous speech. How dare he set himself up as a righteous man of God. Ugly, cruel words do not come from a true follower of Jesus Christ.
I’m sure Jesus and Mary are weeping at the lack of charity vigano is showing his brother Bishops. Maybe both he and trump are agents of satan sent to sow discord, division and hatred among the People of God.
Love one another as I have loved you.
Does anyone remember who asked us to do that?
Peace
GG, you might be hasty in your judgment of AB Vigano (and Trump, for that matter). Be specific: what has AB Vigano done to merit such condemnation? “Agents of Satan”??!!?? How? Generalities will not suffice. What is love? Is it loving to keep silence when there is at least the possibility that episcopal leadership in this country is corrupt and in great need of a rebuke? When Peter came to Antioch, Paul rebuked him, and wrote about it publicly. Was Paul offending against charity? No — the chief apostle, Peter, got the correction he needed. One might argue that the failure to correct is the height of dereliction of duty–and the very opposite of love. You purport to speak for Jesus and Mary: for whom are they weeping? Might you have it all wrong? Something to consider. But please, give us specifics that support your condemnation of Vigano (the Trump issue can wait). Please, no more virtue signaling–just facts to support your position.
You are in error.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with immoral men;
10 not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.
11 But rather I wrote to you not to associate with any one who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of immorality? or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber—not even to eat with such a one.
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the Church whom you are to judge?
13 God judges those outside. ” Drive out the wicked person from among you.”
The sweet Archbishop could be codemned on greed alone wheb he as having his 2.2 million house built ubtil the press got wind of it.
I’d be happy to join the KofC, as I have told many pastors and Knights, as soon as my wife can
She can, the Columbiettes!
Amazing that the Archbishop of Washington, D.C. would publicly (or privately) judge the heart of anyone who visits the shrine of a saint, especially on the occasion of the saint’s centennial birthday. Who is he to judge?
I think that we should all contact the chancery in D. C. to express our disappointment with Archbishop Gregory’s discourteous and impolitic statement. In the same contact, we might request that he apologize to the President, to the Knights of Columbus, and to all Catholics for the embarrassment, if not scandal, that he has brought to the Church with his behavior in this matter. Contact information: Telephone: (301) 853-4500. Fax: (301) 853-5300.
The postal address is:
5001 Eastern Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20782 or
P. O. Box 29260, Washington, D. C. 20017-0260
A local chapter of the Knights of Columbus in Washington, D.C., made up of black Catholics, has denounced President Donald Trump’s recent visit to the St. John Paul II National Shrine. His visit came against the backdrop of Black Lives Matter protests across the USA, The Knights of Columbus grand knight for St. Augustine Church, Anthony H. Bigesby, St. Augustine Council # 15723, said that their chapter was in full support of Archbishop Gregory and his statement to the media. He goes on to say that they were not notified that the President will be over at the PPII shrine. The only time he found out about it was when he saw Archbishop Gregory’s statement. He is in full support of Archbishop Gregory and his pastor, Fr. Pat. That chapter has no problem whatsoever with Archbishop Gregory nor is statement. It would appear that no apology is necessary nor warranted.The only embarrassment and scandal that he seems to have brought to the Catholic Church is being black while being a Catholic Archbishop!
Margot Osorio,. I am sorry that you are hurting and that you are tired. We are grieving over the deaths of George Floyd and all the other unarmed black men and women that have been killed by police. Our hearts hurt. We cry. We pray. We are so discouraged and frustrated. I tend to believe the problem comes from the violence of American society as well as the racism. No one should have to be afraid of the police. No one should have to be afraid to leave their house. No one should have to be afraid to have their son drive a car. Or to have their daughter sit on a sofa. There have been so many black people killed for no reason. It happens to white and Latino people too. But it is more likely to happen to black people. I am white. I have had 2 relatives beaten by police for getting mouthy with them in two separate incidences.. Another was held at gunpoint but not shot in a call where they got the address wrong.. I was harassed by one when I was a waitress and we didn’t get his order to him as quickly as he wanted it. It was really scary.
According to 2018 statistics published by the Washington Post, more unarmed whites were shot/killed by police than blacks and hispanics combined. 47 total unarmed Americans, out of 10,000,000 arrests that year, were shot/killed by police. How many blacks are killed by blacks just in Chicago and every other big city, every day? How many of those were innocent bystanders to the rampant and unabated violence in that city? Where are the national protests against this violence that has nothing to do with the police or racism on the part of whites? This is not racist to point to facts. In order to find unity, we have to deal with facts. Margo, as hard as she tries, cannot point to anything that President Trump has done that is racist. If you look at everything thru a racist prism, then you see racism in everything even when it does not exist. There are racists in this country, but President Trump is not one of them. In fact, under this President, black unemployment was at its lowest point in history at the end of last year before the economy was shut down due to a virus. More blacks earning a living, developing new skills, moving off of government assistance. This is all good. Margo, did you celebrate this victory for our black brothers and sisters in America? Was the President racist to celebrate this victory for our fellow Americans? I will close by saying unconditionally that Mr. Floyd’s treatment by a police officer the day he died was criminal and that officer will and should pay a heavy price for that.
“The only embarrassment and scandal that he seems to have brought to the Catholic Church is being black while being a Catholic Archbishop!” The race card, the race card, the race card. How often will you play it and thereby terminate all intelligent discussion? This is the tyranny of political correctness. As a counter-example, consider Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, one of the most outstanding jurists in memory IMO. You must know — he is black. Were I consistent, I should despise his decisions solely due to his color, if, as you say, the only valid objection over AB Gregory’s treatment of Trump is due to racism. Maybe, just maybe, there is something other than racism that accounts for my adulation of Thomas and relative disdain for AB Gregory.
Margot, clearly you are a never Trumper, plain and simple and this is not about race. A presidential visit to a Catholic site is religious, not racial.
To say that the President didn’t use his visits to two houses of worship as photo ops is disingenuous. But, he is not the first to do it, so he gets a slide for that. He doesn’t get any slack for his timing and his insensitivity to what is happening across the nation and the world. Then there is the Vigano thing. Is he still in hiding? He may not like Archbishop Gregory, but t call him out like this is not charitable or Christian. For a follower to call AB Gregory a “Judas Priest” is not Christian, Catholic, or anything other than shocking. There are too many who consider themselves Catholic and saviors of the faith who act in very non-Catholic ways, who exhibit more evil than those they criticize. For God’s sake people we are losing the American experiment because of the oppressed can’t take any more. They want our knee removed from their necks, they want the same opportunities for everyone. They want the privilege shared. They don’t want division. Pray for our President that he stops the division and works for the common good. That is his job, to unite us, to ensure domestic tranquility rather than police brutality that we have seen on the streets each night for nearly two weeks now. We need peace in our country and in our church. Let’s start by not calling our Bishops names, by not being so negative. Let us pray for our nation to be healed.
” For God’s sake people we are losing the American experiment because of the oppressed can’t take any more….” Bob One, are we talking about Israel in the land of Egypt thousands of years ago? “…knee removed from their necks…” ??!!? Black America should thank Trump for his efforts at job creation, school choice and religious freedom.. And fighting abortion, which disproportionately affects the Black community. Black Lives Matter? Where is the indignation over the black lives snuffed out by Planned Parenthood? Those black lives apparently didn’t matter. And here you go, judging Trump for carrying out a long-planned visit and impugning to him motives that sound like DNC soundbites. “Police brutality that we have seen…” What of the black police officers killed in these riots? They tried to restore order and were murdered. Ah, but their lives don’t matter, do they?
“For a follower to call AB Gregory a “Judas Priest” is not Christian, Catholic, or anything other than shocking. ” Bob One, Former Cardinal McCarrick was a Judas Priest and failing to call him anything other than that is not Christian. A tree is known by its fruits, and the laity have every right to call an AB to task when he behaves badly. And I think in this case he behaved very badly. It is he, not Trump, who is spreading division by selective indignation and calumniating Trump without basis.
Bishop Gregory’s remarks about Trump sound just like the hate filled leftist media that has been spreading hate and division in America since Trumps nomination. Vigano’s comments are absolutely correct in their analysis of Bishop Gregory who clearly made a fool of himself saying it was a staged photo op in that the visit had been planned for some time. Looks like the church is 0 for 3 in choosing DC Bishops.
Hello? Every situation is a so-called “photo op” And I pray for all those on the unhinged Left who are destroying this country. The hate and derangement coming from those who are consumed with destroying this President is beyond belief. I guess they know their time is short? Americans are waking up thank God…
Vigano is the man!
Archbishop Vigano’s comments about the reprehensible insults of Trump by Bishop Gregory of DC are right on the money. I thought I was reading something from CNN NBC or some other leftist hate Trump media arm in reading Gregory’s takedown of Trump. Just more non thought out hate speech from a Bishop who wasn’t even smart enough to check the record and learn Trumps trip was planned well in advance of the riots. Another black eye for church leadership.
Everybody…stop. This bickering back and forth is just what Satan wants. Pull the curtain away and there is Satan dividing us. The answer is prayer…pray the Rosary, go to confession and watch and pray. Enough fighting with each other.
Pietro, forgive me for differing with you, but in the age of political correctness and the very real threat posed by thought police, I think the truth is worth fighting for, even at the risk of sounding like bickering. But you are right– prayer is the first priority.
The truth will come out eventually. I am surprised that anyone cannot see through this hoax.
It is a tragedy of epic proportions for our Bishops to be fighting with each other. The Catholic Church in America and all the practicing Catholics are suffering greatly from a lack of leadership. The sex abuse scandals are only one part of the Church crisis. Another part of the crisis, and there are many parts, is the Church being in the pocket of politicians. Abortion was never protested as it should of been , for one reason, not to endanger their tax break, another is that the Church has been infiltrated by people whose mission is to destroy the Church. That is a verifiable fact , research Bella Dodd, who testified before Congress.
The Archbishop of Washington D.C. instead of criticizing President Trump, should be praising him for his public invocation of God and prayer, and also standing up to abortion advocates.
I applaud Archbishop Vigano and feel the same way. Bishop Gregory has the nerve to criticize the president, yet a little while ago he invited the evil Nancy Pelosi to speak from his ambo! Of all people, Pelosi is responsible for continuing and funding abortions on demand. Why did the bishop do this? He needs to find the true meaning of Jesus and follow Archbishop Vigano’s words. Gregory should be rebuked for his hypocrisy.
I am a black catholic and Archbishop Vigano is right . If you believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Holy Mother then you shouldn’t have a problem with what Archbishop Vigano said because the Holy Mother said ( I’m paraphrasing ) that a lot of the clergy are on the road to perdition. As I see it doesn’t matter if your black or white it’s what’s in your heart and are you truly trying following God . I believe at this moment in time God is separating the sheep from the goats which one are you .
I agree!
Hmmm….I’m Catholic! I am not an “infidel” or a “child of darkness” either!!! I follow the Vicar of Christ, Pope Francis, not a retired ex-nuncio who has an axe to grind and is calling for Pope Francis to be declared a heretic. Please understand what is happening in your church, seek understanding and if you are not in agreement, form a new church…that way you can hop off the “road to perdition.”
How often do high clerics comment on politics this way, especially about a foreign country, especially echoing every recent favorable interpretation of President Trump’s action or inaction, especially demonizing everyone who might think otherwise on a range of topics, especially just at he is losing confidence of many Catholics (who have supported him because of his promises to support pro-life causes and appoint supreme court justices who might be more traditional in their constitutional interpretations, which he has done). So far, 11:30 am 6/8/2020, only a brief article on Fox has mentioned it in main-stream media or on Catholic websites except Lifesitenews and ChurchMilitant. Will the Archbishop verify its authenticity? My fantasy is that it was written by Rachel Maddow or another clever wag as a super-spoof of all the conspiracy theories piled together, hoping that the pile-on will embarrass everyone once the truth comes out.
We have both a pope and a president who Tweet with an apparent lack of adequate forethought. They also offer spontaneous remarks to the press, which would be better thought out and written out, given the worldwide offices they hold. That is what most of their predecessors did and for good reason. Deep-seated, long-standing social problems cannot be solved by Tweets, sound bites, political slogans, banners, FaceBook postings, virtue signaling, shaming, intimidation or grafitti.
Well, this has been an interesting thread of comments that shows the divide that haunts this country. I wonder if we could even agree that, most days at least, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. That would be a good first step. Then we could tackle the idea that not all people are treated equally in this country, and that it has been going on for a long time under the administration of both major parties. Then, we might be ready to discuss the notion that… Well, that isn’t what this article is about. I remember many years ago when we tried to level the playing field for everyone, it was considered an effort to give jobs that belonged to white people to minorities. It never seemed to occur to most people that those were not “white jobs.” Then we tried to level the playing field for women, and it was considered giving women jobs that belonged to men as if there were “men jobs.”We seem to have the same issue inside the church when we discuss who is the more catholic than others. We all need to calm down and consider the common good without name-calling or conspiracy theories. It is ok to say that “I don’t agree with AB Gregory.” It is not ok to call him a Judas Priest, or a whatever.
The divide is there Bob One and eventually we will defeat you…..
Abp Wilton Gregory, ardent Welcomer, is newly arrived from Atlanta, which, like DC, is a dump too.
“… especially echoing every recent favorable interpretation of President Trump’s action or inaction…” Xavier, I have yet to read, besides AB Vigano, of any high clerics speaking well of Trump. This is compete news to me. It would seem that the opposite is true, although mostly by innuendo. Could you provide some more examples, so that my misapprehension might be corrected, and thanks in advance.
“We all need to calm down and consider the common good without name-calling or conspiracy theories.” The common good is what is in dispute here, Bob One.
Today, Catholic News Agency reports, “… Washington’s archbishop was invited to attend an event with President Donald Trump several days before it took place, amid media reports that the archbishop did not learn of the event until the night before it took place. White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere told CNA June 7 that ‘Archbishop Gregory received an invitation to the President’s event at the St. John Paul II Shrine the week prior to the President’s visit. He declined due to other commitments.’ Correspondence between Archbishop Wilton Gregory’s office and the White House indicates the same. In correspondence dated May 30th and obtained by CNA, Gregory’s office declined ‘the kind invitation to attend the event celebrating International Religious Freedom on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at the Saint John Paul II Shrine.’“
So, logically, either AB Gregory is lying or he has an incompetent staff that declined an invitation from the President of the U.S. without consulting with their boss.
Anyone really think an invite to celebrate religious freedom with the President at a Saint’s shrine would be declined by a diocesan bureaucrat who wouldn’t even check with the Archbishop of Washington DC?
Do you guys know what a catfish is? It is a person who pretends to be someone they are not on the internet or on social media.
The writer of the letter could be: Archbishop Vigano; someone who is writing for Archbishop Vigano; someone who is writing and then getting Archbishop Vigano’s permission to use his name on it; someone who is assuming Archbishop Vigano’s identity without his permission or knowledge, someone who is using Archbishop Vigano’s identity with his knowledge but not his permission
Why would we not just take it at face value that it is Archbishop Vigano? It is not the way bishops behave. There is no longer anyone vouching for him. He is too conveniently in hiding. The whole thing is just so weird.
Melania Trump is from Slovenia. The oldest Trump children’s mother and grandmother are from Czechoslovakia both countries of which suffered under the heavy hand of soviet communism. They are acutely aware of St John Paul’s acts that took down communism in Eastern Europe. Communism and anti Christian hate is rapid in the USA especially in the Democrat party. Many of us appreciate their honoring of JPII and protection of religious freedom. Viganò has Gregory exactly right. Gregory oversaw the dismantling of the JPII Institute at Catholic U in support of PF’s anti life and anti family agenda. Gregory has Nancy Pelosi in his congregation. A women dripping with the blood of millions of aborted babies in contravention of even the pronouncement of the AB’s cathedral’s so called pro life web site. Hypocrisy abounds and Gregory needed to be called out on it.