The leaders of the US bishops’ conference had a “lengthy, fruitful and good exchange” with Pope Francis during their meeting today, but have not mentioned any details about what was discussed or whether any concrete measures were taken or promised.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, met the Pope at the Vatican along with Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston – who also serves as President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors – Conference Vice-President Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, and Secretary General Mgr Brian Bransfield, General Secretary of the conference.
The bishops said in a statement that they share with the Pope how the Church in the US has been “lacerated by the evil of sexual abuse”. “He listened very deeply from the heart,” they added.
“We look forward to actively continuing our discernment together, identifying the most effective next steps,” the statement continued.
Before the meeting, the US bishops had specifically requested that the Vatican conduct an apostolic visitation into questions surrounding Archbishop McCarrick.
Full story at The Catholic Herald.
Interesting to note all three US Bishops were Arch Bishops or higher. Anyone from a small diocese in the proverbial ‘middle of nowhere’? Sort of like taking a company survey including only the Executive Vice Presidents.
Froim the picture, it seems like everyone was having a good time.
DiNardo and Bransfield? C’mon. who are they trying to kid here? oh wait, you know who they are trying to kid.
Clearly this is not being taken seriously by the hierarchy Feb 2019? No way. We want action now.
Oh my, “the evil of sexual abuse.” Nope, the institutional Catholic Church is being destroyed by rampant homosexual hubris, with perverted sex seen as something like earning a Boy Scout Merit Badge. The men sitting in judgment of the crimes of Catholic clergy are the ones that permit it to happen (nay, encourage it to happen). The pictures of the Pope and his Minions are looking pretty chummy and happy. Why not? Who is going to ultimately challenge them?
The Zombie-Liberal media, of course, with such a meeting. Do not be fooled.
In that photo they sure look like they’re yukking it up. Did they all go out for pasta and wine after the photo op? Such terrible optics. They are so out of touch. Do they not realize how angry people are and how bad this photo looks? They must not, or maybe they don’t care is the problem. The church is in crisis and this picture shows them with expressions and postures that look like they’re talking about what they watched on TV last night and having a grand old time. Where’s the concern for the victims? Where’s the concern on the part of the Americans for the gravity of the charges Vigano has made against Francis? It’s like they think this is all just a game. To them it probably is.
I’ve known about McCarrick since 2002 but couldn’t report it because nobody who was telling me about McCarrick molesting seminarians would go on the record.
Journalist Rod Dreher
I know one priest who might have done something he should not but it is speculation based on a weird behavior. I have no true knowledge..
I heard of a priest (I do not know his name) in a diocese (it was a western state but not sure where) who did something (I don’t know what) to a young man but when he reported it he was told that there was no other allegation about the priest and since he was over 18 there was nothing that could be done. I was told this story 14 years ago.
I know someone who knows someone who was abused. He has come forward so it is public knowledge.
I know Vigano has charged the pope with high crimes.
Anonymous: your post, “I know one priest who…” reminds one of a gossipy post on Facebook by a freshman high school cheerleader. Are you certain this was reported to the priest’s superior? There are some priests (and people, in general) who act odd but are not sexual predators!
My post was meant to be an example where everyone should be looking at what they know and analyze whether they have a duty to come forward.
I am not telling my bishop about the one priest because I don’t really know that he did something bad. I could tell him what happened, but should i? The person involved was not a minor. Someone else could have reported it or on another incident, if there were any. Soon after the incident, the priest was removed. He was supposed to have gotten help for alcoholism.
You’ve heard of fake news, well I’m afraid now we have to admit that there’s fake Catholicism and many of the bishops are promoting it.
The reports coming out of Argentina about how Bergoglio covered up and protected and promoted and knowingly allowed predatory and actively homosexual priests and bishops to continue ministry there are horrifying. All this took place years before Bergoglio was elected pope and was well known in that country. Ann Barnhardt’s blog has the video evidence.
Well now we know. Before sending them away, the Pope made clear to the US delegation that he was not interested in pursuing the issue. Dismissive silence is not a winner sir!