The following comes from a Jan. 14 story on the site of the Catholic News Agency.
A former papal representative to the U.S. has written an open letter to Archbishop Theodore McCarrick that urges the archbishop to repent publicly of the sexual abuse and misconduct of which he stands accused.
“You, paradoxically, have at your disposal an immense offer of great hope for you from the Lord Jesus; you are in a position to do great good for the Church. In fact, you are now in a position to do something that has become more important for the Church than all of the good things you did for her throughout your entire life,” wrote Archbishop Carlo Vigano in a Jan. 13 letter to McCarrick.
“A public repentance on your part would bring a significant measure of healing to a gravely wounded and suffering Church. Are you willing to offer her that gift? Christ died for us all when we were still sinners (Rom. 5: 8). He only asks that we respond by repenting and doing the good that we are given to do.”
McCarrick, 88, has been accused in recent months of sexually abusing at least two adolescent boys, and of engaging for decades in coercive sexual behavior toward priests and seminarians. The allegations were first made public in June 2018, when the Archdiocese of New York reported that it deemed credible an allegation that McCarrick sexually abused a teenage boy in the 1970s, while serving as a New York priest.
In July 2018, Pope Francis accepted McCarrick’s resignation from the College of Cardinals.
Vigano’s letter noted that McCarrick is subject to an administrative canonical process overseen by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. A verdict is expected shortly from that process. If he is found guilty, McCarrick is expected to be dismissed from the clerical state.
“No matter what decision the supreme authority of the Church takes in your case, what really matters and what has saddened those who love you and pray for you is the fact that throughout these months you haven’t given any sign of repentance.”
“I am among those who are praying for your conversion, that you may repent and ask pardon of your victims and the Church,” Vigano wrote.
The letter, issued on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, is the most recent in a string of letters Vigano has issued publicly in recent months, beginning with a “testimony” the archbishop published on Aug. 25, 2018. That letter alleged that McCarrick’s alleged sexual misconduct had been known to some Vatican officials for years, eventually leading to a restriction on the archbishop’s ministry by Pope Benedict XVI in the late 2000s, and a subsequent restoration of McCarrick’s place as a papal advisor by Pope Francis….
He is no longer archbishop. We the laity need to stand up against any form of abuse not only against minors but all who suffer from the arrogance of some entrusted with a sacred position
Proving that Vigano is certifyably crazy.
“… certifiably crazy”??!!??? On what basis do you issue such a vituperation?
Finally someone with insight. Ab. Vigano is being congratulated for his half truths, exaggerated views, and gross estimations. Why an open letter? More attention!
A friend who writes well tells me that Vigano could have done a better job with his 4th letter. He should have focused on one point, healing of the Church. Her version follows:
Dear Archbishop McCarrick ,
You are in a position to do great good for the Church. In fact,
you are now in a position to do something that has become
more important for the Church than all of the good things
you did for her throughout your entire life. A public
repentance on your part would bring a significant measure of
healing to a gravely wounded and suffering Church. Are you
willing to offer her that gift? Christ died for us all when
we were still sinners (Rom. 5: 8). He only asks that we
respond by repenting and doing…
And Larry, what is the point of your post? That Vigano could have expressed himself better? Isn’t the real issue whether or not his counsel to McCarrick is prudent and necessary?
Yes, that he could have articulated more clearly thus making his point more effectively.
Why would he do it in an open letter? So no, it is not prudent or necessary.
McCarrick can get counsel from anybody-Cardinal Burke, the Pope, Cardinal Sarah…why would he get counsel from somebody who admitted they committed a mortal sin?
The primary issue we should be considering is this: should McCarrick repent openly? It hardly matters who delivered this request. Such an action should have been requested by Francis, but the pontiff seems to be disinclined toward any such action. It would seem Vigano is the only cleric with the guts to speak out, as it were. As to the form of this request, an open letter, one could ask why such a measure might be considered necessary. Clearly if lesser measures have proven ineffectual (as we might be justified in supposing) then an open letter seems quite appropriate and its sender a very brave man.
Dan, Catholics have private confessions.
“Dan, Catholics have private confessions.” But what did Vigano actually say? “A public repentance on your part would bring a significant measure of healing to a gravely wounded and suffering Church. Are you willing to offer her that gift? ” In Vigano’s judgment such a public display is, under the circumstances, necessary. I agree with him.
We are in a very weird time, probably because of the Internet, where others demand apologies or repentance of people they don’t even know.
From Anonymous: “We are in a very weird time, probably because of the Internet, where others demand apologies or repentance of people they don’t even know.” To Anonymous: I’m sorry it wasn’t made clear. It is Vigano who is doing the asking, not me. I only state that I am in agreement. I venture to presume that Vigano knows McCarrick only too well.
Yes, that he could have articulated more clearly thus making his point more effectively.
Just published yesterday in LifeSite News:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/ex-cardinal-mccarrick-could-be-defrocked-soon-vatican-sources-tell-reuters
Abp. Vigano will be vindicated.
Ab Vigano asking Ab.(for the time being) McCarrick to repent is like Trump asking Hillary Clinton to admit to email problems. Not only is it the wrong messenger but the last thing on the to do list. Although Ab Vigano might get through to Ab McCarrick since they were buddies at the time of the so called “sanctions” later called restrictions.Although Ab Vigano did say that Ab McCarrick was the one “we all love” at the gala for the “sanctioned prelate”. What a great nuncio…now. To bad he didn’t do anything then when he was empowered to do it. Now he writes letters from far away in hiding. Such manly fortitude!