On Wednesday Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Msgr. Dario Edoardo Vigano as prefect of the Secretariat for Communications in wake of what has been dubbed by many as the ‘Lettergate’ scandal, which has dominated Catholic media the past week.
In his letter submitting his resignation, which was dated March 19 and published March 21 alongside Francis’ response, Vigano said that recent days “many controversies have arisen regarding my work which, beyond intentions, destabilizes the complex and great task of reform which you entrusted to me.”
He thanked the Pope for his accompaniment and generosity, and for the sake of avoiding the “delay” of the reform and for “love of the Church,” he tenured his resignation.
In his letter of response, dated March 21, Francis said that after speaking with Vigano and after a “long and attentive reflection,” he accepted the prefect’s resignation.
He thanked Vigano for his service, and offered his blessing, asking that he stay on in the secretariat in a different, more advisory capacity.
The fiasco began last week after the Monday, March 12, launch of the 11-book series “The Theology of Pope Francis,” published by Libreria Editrice Vaticana, the Vatican publishing house overseen by the Vatican’s Secretariat for Communications.
A letter from Benedict XVI praising Francis’ theological and philosophical formation was read aloud at the event, however, the Vatican’s Secretariat for Communications later admitted to tampering with an image of the letter that was sent to media, blurring out lines in which Benedict said that he had not read the full series, and so could not give an in-depth analysis.
Days later another twist was added to the scandal when it was revealed that further paragraphs had been left out in which Benedict questioned the inclusion in the series of a theologian known for his “anti-papal initiatives.”
After receiving pressure from the media, the Secretariat for Communications published the full letter March 17, which they said was confidential and never intended to be published in its entirety.
Msgr. Vigano was tapped to head the secretariat for communications in 2015 with a mandate to reform and streamline the Vatican’s various communications entities. The recent scandal surrounding the letter has been likened by reporters to the first “Vatileaks” scandal in 2012, when Benedict XVI’s personal butler leaked some of his private letters to the press.
Full story at Catholic News Agency.
Somebody higher ranking than him should resign for the good of the Church.
Good deal. Another side-winder and con man meets a just fate. Good riddance. Viva Papa Benedetto Sestagesimo!
Msgr. Vigano had to go. The Church can not afford ‘games’ with official correspondence.
the italian press reports that he will still work in communications as an ‘assessore’, roughly,, advisor, counsellor
This series of books includes theological commentary from a man who attacked both St. Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI! Before it was published Pope Francis had to approve! How do you think this made Benedict feel when asked to “review” these books? Then they ask Pope BXVI to endorse it?! Then they falsely present BXVI’s letter as a (false) endorsement! With “friends” like these and a Pope like that who needs enemies? This reveals the heart of Francis. Viganò keeps his job within the Sec. for Communications – his deck chair is just shuffled to appease the onlookers. All smoke and mirrors. Again, done with Francis leading the 3-Ring Circus.
This guy is only the chosen stooge for decisions by those much higher up in the Vatican administration.
Time to go after big guys.
Yes, isn’t that something drewelow……keeping him on as an “assessor.” Only in the liberal Church does this happen.