August 29, 2018

Bishop Rozanski responds to Archbishop Vigano’s letter about Pope Francis

REGIONAL
Staff report

(Catholic Communications file photo)

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski today released a statement in response to the Aug. 26 letter in which Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, former apostolic nuncio to the United States, claimed that Pope Francis knew about abuse allegations against then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and failed to act on them.

The text of Bishop Rozanski’s letter follows:

“Like so many others, I was shocked when I first learned of Archbishop Vigano’s letter, not only by the nature of the allegations he raised, but also by the deliberate timing of the release of the 11-page letter to coincide with the Papal Mass in Dublin. Unfortunately, the initial release to only a few carefully selected media outlets on a Sunday morning resulted in a lack of more careful scrutiny of the various allegations made before they were widely disseminated.   

“We now know that key elements of the letter have been called into doubt, which in turn calls into question the true motivation and reliability of the entire letter.

“Nonetheless, the issues raised are serious enough to warrant further review. I strongly support USCCB President Cardinal Daniel DiNardo’s request for a papal audience to discuss this matter, along with a plan to deal more forthrightly and openly with abuse allegations, especially those involving church leadership. I also support the National Review Board’s recommendations to add language to the Charter to Protect Children and Young People which would provide greater clarity with regard to responding to allegations involving bishops.   

“What saddens me the most is that the legitimate needs of victims and their families, along with the serious issues raised in recent weeks, are being hijacked by some in the pursuit of ideological agendas.  

“This is a time that the church must come together, both in prayer and necessary action, and not be divided. Those of us entrusted with the responsibility of leadership must atone for the church’s past failures, correct our ways and chart a course for future reforms. We owe the victims of abuse nothing less.”  

(Editor’s note: See related article detailing Vigano’s letter, contradictory facts, etc.: https://iobserve.org/2018/08/29/is-there-truth-in-archbishop-viganos-text-and-how-are-catholics-to-know/.)