After McCarrick scandal, U.S. bishops call for greater transparency
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[November 17, 2020]
By Philip Pullella
(Reuters) - U.S. Roman Catholic leaders
called on Monday for greater transparency and vetting in the appointment
of bishops after the scandal of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who
rose through the ranks despite repeated allegations of sexual
misconduct.
The American bishops made the suggestions during their annual general
assembly, held virtually this year because of the coronavirus pandemic
and in the wake of an explosive 450-page report issued by the Vatican
last week.
McCarrick, a star of the U.S. Church, was expelled from the priesthood
last year after an internal investigation found him guilty of sexual
abuse of minors and adults and abuse of power.
The report showed that Pope John Paul II had promoted McCarrick in 2000
to be archbishop of Washington DC despite persistent rumours of sexual
misconduct. The late pope believed his personal denial over the word of
several senior Church officials who had advised him against promoting
McCarrick.
"The lesson learned is that we should take very seriously the
recommendations and comments that come from those in authority," Donald
Hanchon, an auxiliary bishop of Detroit, said during a public session of
the meeting that was streamed on the Internet.
Bishop Mark Brennan of Charleston, West Virginia, said procedures
leading to the appointment of bishops - which are for the most part
secret and carried out by Vatican representatives - should be
transparent.
"We should look at the way bishops are vetted," he said. Brennan added
that once a priest is slated for a promotion to the bishopric, his name
should be made public before he takes office.
He suggested a two-month period to give people time to come forward with
any information they may have.
"I'm really amazed with the autonomy we have, that we are really
beholden to no-one," said Bishop William Wack of Tallahassee, Florida.
"It's a stunning, stunning report... people knew, there were whispers
about things but no-one put the pieces together and very few people
confronted the offenders directly," Wack said.
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Roman Catholic Cardinal Emeritus Theodore McCarrick, part of a U.S.
clerical delegation, looks on during a meeting with Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran September 17, 2011. REUTERS/Morteza
Nikoubazl
Other bishops suggested the Church set up a system whereby
seminarians studying for the priesthood are asked regularly if any
bishop is abusing his power.
McCarrick has said he had no recollection of child abuse and has not
commented publicly on allegations of misconduct with adults. Now
aged 90, he is living in isolation.
The report found that he used his authority over the careers of
priests and seminarians to force them to sleep with him.
The former cardinal was also a formidable fund raiser and often gave
monetary gifts to other bishops and Vatican officials.
Bishop Michael Olson of Fort Worth, Texas, said the report mentioned
the gifts but did not name who received the money. He said the
information should be made public.
Several of the bishops defended the legacy of Pope John Paul, saying
McCarrick was a pathological liar who had deceived the pontiff.
John Paul died in 2005 and was declared a saint in 2014, a record
nine years for a process that sometimes takes decades or even
centuries. Critics have said the canonisation process was too hasty.
(Reporting by Philip Pullella in Rome, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
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