The news that Theodore McCarrick recently moved from the Kansas friary where he had been living has fueled speculation that a report from the Vatican’s internal investigation on McCarrick will soon be released.
But while the report may be completed in Rome, its release may not be imminent, and some U.S. bishops may be quietly hoping for further delays.
The report is the fruit of an internal Vatican investigation into the career of McCarrick, who was a cardinal and the archbishop of two major American sees before he was found canonically guilty of serial sexual abuse and laicized.
In October 2018, just months after sexual abuse allegations against McCarrick first emerged, the Vatican said that Pope Francis had commissioned a study of the Vatican archival files on McCarrick, “in order to ascertain all the relevant facts, to place them in their historical context and to evaluate them objectively.”
Since the study was announced, American Catholics have called for the release of its findings. In recent months, the report’s release has become highly anticipated.
In November, Cardinal Sean O’Malley told the U.S. bishops’ conference that the Vatican intended to publish the report
O’Malley said that he had seen a “hefty document,” which was being translated into Italian for the benefit of Pope Francis, before its imminent release.
“The long wait has resulted in great frustration on the part of bishops and our people, and indeed a harsh and even cynical interpretation of the seeming silence,” O’Malley acknowledged.
In December, Bishop Earl Boyea said he had told been told by the pope that the report would be issued “probably after the beginning of the new year.”
And McCarrick’s January move to an undisclosed priests’ residence was apparently motivated, at least in part, by a desire to avoid media attention when the report is released. That move has led to speculation that the report could be released at any time.
But some U.S. bishops may not be eager for the report to be released.
Some, of course, might be concerned about their own connections to McCarrick. But the saga of Fulton Sheen’s beatification suggests that some bishops might have other reasons to consider asking for the McCarrick report to be postponed.
Last month, the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois announced that the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, which had been set for Dec. 22, had been indefinitely delayed.
CNA soon reported that the delay was caused by an intervention from Rochester’s Bishop Salvatore Matano, who asked the apostolic nuncio in the U.S. to postpone the ceremony. Sources close to the Rochester diocese told CNA that among Matano’s concerns was the possibility of lawsuits against Sheen, who was Rochester’s bishop from 1966 to 1969.
New York is in the midst of a “window” that allows lawsuits related to sexual abuse that fall beyond the normal statute of limitations. That window closes in August.
New Jersey is also in a statute of limitations window, which began in December and ends in 2021. McCarrick served as a bishop in both New York and New Jersey, during the period in which he committed acts of sexual abuse and coercion….
The above comes from a Jan. 8 analysis by J.D. Flynn on the Catholic News Agency website.
I sincerely and deeply hope the Pope is not waiting until the statute of limitations expires in 2021. Dragging this on does not help the Church or McCarrick’s victims. Whatever the crimes and sins of this man and others, it’s time to repent, make reparations and move forward. And, I pray that McCarrick publicly repents, for the sake of both his soul and the Church.
Amen, Deacon Anderson. Any apparent cover-up only further besmirches the already low reputation of the heirarchy.
Well said, Dcn. Anderson.
I realize this is a cynical question, but given Mr. McCarrick’s age, are they waiting for him to die so the impact of his perversions will be decreased?
Interesting question. But, if McCarrick dies without publicly repenting, apologizing and begging forgiveness from his many victims (and making reparation, as much as possible), wouldn’t that be worse? The impact of his many grave sins and crimes would seem worse if there is not at least some “closure.” My thought. Let us continue to pray for all during these trying time for our beloved Church!
I am reminded (cynically) of a line from the old BBC Goon Show, “Suddenly, nothing happened. But it happened suddenly, mind you.”
When students grade their own papers deliberation and cautious reflection are only natural. Thus the delay.
Dead men’s sins are in God’s hands. I am personally concerned with the living. Part of the frustration for many Catholics is to see the Church focus resources and reports on men who are long dead, and not enough focus on those still living. Their souls, and repairing the damage all these people have and are causing. We need to weed these behaviors out as much as possible from our dioceses, schools, parishes, and especially our seminaries. The zero tolerance is important. Many men may find it uncomfortable, for their faith will be tested, as they are even crucified next to Christ. The question is which thief will they be?
I pray their faith is strong, and they truly lean on Christ, he who is everything.
Even the greatest sinner can be a saint. Alleluia.
Do some in the Vatican think that America’s lay faithful will forget?
It was reported: In December, Bishop Earl Boyea said he had told been told by the pope that the report would be issued “probably after the beginning of the new year.”
Some of the lay faithful are not waiting. Our Sunday Visitor and the Diocese of Arlington are not, they’re hosting “The Church in Crisis – a Way Forward for Catholic Laity” March 12-14. As they say, “Our Church is in crisis. Be part of the solution.” They’ve lined up some fine presenters. If you can get to Arlington, you may want to attend. http://churchincrisis.eventcreate.com/
We are still waiting.