Vatican announcement: "Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Theodore McCarrick". He will remain in a house "for a life of prayer and penance, until the charges against him" (19659002) by PAOLO RODARI

The Archbishop of Washington, accused of pedophilia, has Is no longer a cardinal
(ap)

VATICAN CITY – Since yesterday Theodore McCarrick, 88, is no longer a cardinal. Indeed, Pope Francis, following accusations of badual abuse of children a few years ago, accepted his resignation from the cardinal and ordered his suspension from the exercise of any public prosecutor's office, with the obligation to stay in a house that will be indicated, for a life of prayer and penance, until the charges brought to him are clarified by the regular canonical process.

This is a serious blow not only to the diocese of Washington, whose former cardinal was archbishop emeritus, but for the entire Church and, in particular, for the so-called "tolerance zero "putting on the ground against those who abuse. It is true that today no one, even cardinals or bishops, enjoys any immunity, it is also obvious that we must rethink the system at the beginning so that we do not have We do not even have an ecclesial personality on the throne of stone stained more serious and shameful crime

In recent days, not by chance, it is directly Cardinal Sean Patrick O Malley, Archbishop of Boston and president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, who said he was "deeply troubled" by the news regarding McCarrick. "These alleged actions, if committed by someone, are morally unacceptable and inconsistent with the role of priest, bishop or cardinal," said O. Malley. That he has better explained his point of view: it is news that has "traumatized many Catholics" and not only, and that create "doubts in the minds of many" about the fact that "we we are facing this catastrophe in the Church ".

Declarations that sound: for the first man of confidence of the Pope in the fight against pedophilia, indeed, the Church probably does not act in the most fair way against abuse. This is not the only one, in any case, to think so. For some time, some have argued that entrusting women with leadership roles for women would prevent the spread of "injury," while the removal of the requirement of celibacy would result in admission to the priesthood. the so-called "viri probati", essentially lay people "of proven faith". In this way, celibacy would become a free choice, made only by candidates maturing psychically and emotionally. Maybe really what is needed.