'Do not follow them, as they lead you to
perdition. They are mercenaries. They teach and practice falsehoods and
corruption!'
By Pete Baklinski
June 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews)
– Former U.S. Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò has strongly
criticized Washington Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory as a “false
shepherd” for rebuking the John Paul II National Shrine for “allowing”
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to go through
with a long-planned visit yesterday.
“Unfortunately, the Catholic Church is led by many false
pastors,” stated Viganò in a June 3 letter to priests and laity of the
Archdiocese of Washington (read full letter below).
“Over the past twenty years, your [Archdiocese] of
Washington, in particular and now for the third time, has been and continues to
be deeply afflicted and wounded by false shepherds whose way of life is full of
lies, deceits, lust and corruption. Wherever they have been, they were a cause
of serious scandal for various local Churches, for your entire country and for
the whole Church,” he continued.Archbishops of Washington immediately preceding Gregory
were Cardinal Donald William Wuerl (implicated in sex abuse cover-ups) and
ex-cardinal Theodore Edgar McCarrick (credibly accused of abusing seminarians
and accused of serial sex abuse). It is suspected that Wuerl had some hand in
securing his successor.
“Do not follow them, as they lead you to perdition. They
are mercenaries. They teach and practice falsehoods and corruption!” stated
Viganò.
“Follow with perseverance the teachings and examples of the
holy pastors and priests who are among you,” he added.
The president and Mrs. Trump visited the shrine to both
commemorate Pope Saint
John Paul II’s 100th birthday two weeks ago and the 41st
anniversary of the modern day saint’s historic Mass
at Victory Square in Warsaw. Melania Trump is the first Catholic
First Lady since Jacqueline Kennedy.
After his visit to the shrine, established and operated by
the Knights of Columbus, President Trump planned to return to the White House
to sign an executive order on international religious freedom.
Washington, D.C.’s Archbishop Wilton Gregory was incensed
that the John Paul II National Shrine would “allow” the visit.
“I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic
facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a
fashion that violates our religious principles, which call us to defend the
rights of all people even those with whom we might disagree,” said Gregory in a
statement released the very hour of Trump’s visit.
“Saint Pope John Paul II was an ardent defender of the
rights and dignity of human beings,” continued Gregory. “His legacy bears
vivid witness to that truth. He certainly would not condone the use of tear gas
and other deterrents to silence, scatter or intimidate them for a photo
opportunity in front of a place of worship and peace.”
A spokesperson for the shrine indicated on Tuesday that the
White House had scheduled the president’s visit long before the recent violent
uprisings in cities across the nation, countering Gregory’s implication that
this was nothing more than a political photo op.
“This was fitting given St. John Paul II was a tireless
advocate of religious liberty throughout his pontificate,” the shrine said in a
statement. “International religious freedom receives widespread bipartisan
support, including unanimous passage of legislation in defense of persecuted
Christians and religious minorities around the world.”
“The shrine welcomes all people to come and pray and learn
about the legacy of St. John Paul II.”
***
Grace and Peace are always with you, in Jesus Christ, our
only Lord. Although I am no longer among you in Washington D.C. as
Apostolic Nuncio, I feel particularly united to all of you in this time of so
grave moral and physical trials with which you are afflicted, and I wish to
send you the sentiments of my deepest affection in Christ.
Unfortunately, the Catholic Church is led by many false
pastors. Over the past twenty years, your [Archdiocese] of Washington, in
particular and now for the third time, has been and continues to be deeply
afflicted and wounded by false shepherds whose way of life is full of lies,
deceits, lust and corruption. Wherever they have been, they were a cause of
serious scandal for various local Churches, for your entire country and for the
whole Church.
Do not follow them, as they lead you to perdition. They are
mercenaries. They teach and practice falsehoods and corruption!
Follow with perseverance the teachings and examples of the
holy pastors and priests who are among you.
Mary, Mother of the Church, Mother of Mercy, pray and
intercede for us with your Son Jesus Christ, so that He may have mercy on all
us sinners.
I bless you with all my heart.
+ Carlo Maria Viganò, Archbishop
June 3rd, 2020
No comments:
Post a Comment