Cardinal Wuerl Asks for “Understanding” for his Role in Covering-up Claims against Theodore McCarrick

For immediate release: January 14, 2019

Rather than apologizing for years of lying and covering-up abuse, Cardinal Donald Wuerl is instead asking for “understanding.” We are happy to oblige with his request.

We understand that Cardinal Wuerl has known about sexual abuse allegations against Cardinal Theodore McCarrick since at least 2004. We understand that Cardinal Wuerl reported those allegations to officials in the Vatican but said nothing to local police or prosecutors. We understand that Cardinal Wuerl continues to pretend he had no role in covering-up McCarrick’s abuse.

What we don’t understand is why other church officials refuse to denounce Cardinal Wuerl as he continues to lie publicly. If other American prelates are as disgusted with the abuse crisis as they claim, they should publicly demand that the Vatican excommunicate not only Wuerl but every other official who has ignored, minimized, or covered-up allegations of child sex abuse.

CONTACT: Becky Ianni, SNAP Treasurer, Local DC SNAP leader ([email protected], (703) 801-6044), Zach Hiner, Executive Director ([email protected], 517-974-9009)

(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)


Showing 1 comment

  • Andrea DiMaggio
    commented 2019-01-15 09:13:01 -0600
    Will his cassock also burst into flames when his pants spontaneously combust!

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