‘We are angry, betrayed and disillusioned’: Thousands of Catholic women sign open letter to the Pope urging him to break his silence over claims he turned a blind eye to sexual abuse
Letter has been signed by more than 13,000 urging pope to break his silence
Women said ‘our hearts are broken, our faith tested, by the escalating crisis’
Francis has refused to address claims he turned a blind eye to sexual abuse
An archbishop accused him of ignoring abuse allegations against a top cardinal
By JULIAN ROBINSON
DAILYMAIL.COM
31 August 2018
Thousands of Catholic women have signed an open letter to the Pope urging him to break his silence over claims he turned a blind eye to sexual abuse.
In the letter, they told Francis they felt ‘angry, betrayed and disillusioned’ over claims he ignored abuse allegations against prominent US cardinal Theodore McCarrick.
Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, a former Vatican envoy to the US, made the claims at the weekend saying the pontiff ‘covered’ for ‘serial predator’ McCarrick ‘to the bitter end’. But the Argentine has yet to address Vigano’s claims.
A letter calling for answers from the pope, originally signed by just 53 Catholic women including seminarians, professors and theologians, has now been backed by more than 13,000.
It says: ‘Our hearts are broken, our faith tested, by the escalating crisis engulfing our beloved Church. We are angry, betrayed and disillusioned.
‘The pain and suffering of the victims never ends, as each news cycle brings more horrific revelations of sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, cover-ups, and deceit – even at the Church’s highest levels.’
‘Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò’s recent statement impels us to reach out to you directly for answers.
‘His testimony accuses you, Holy Father, and highly placed cardinals of turning a blind eye to former Cardinal McCarrick’s egregious behavior, and promoting this predator as a global spokesman and spiritual leader. Is this true?’
The timing of Vigano’s claims – right in the middle of Francis’s landmark trip to Ireland – immediately raised speculation about a possible plot against the Argentine pontiff.
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