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'As your shepherd I find them to be credible,' Bishop Joseph Strickland wrote.

TYLER, Texas, August 26, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) – After the release last night of an explosive letter by the Vatican’s former nuncio to the United States, a Texas bishop said he found the allegations against the Pope and other senior cardinals to be “credible,” and called for a “thorough investigation.”

Bishop Joseph E. Strickland of Tyler, Texas told priests to “include this notice in the masses on August 26, and post it on their websites and other social media immediately.”

The principal charge in the eleven-page letter by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano is that Pope Francis knew about sexual abuse of seminarians by former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, and nonetheless removed sanctions that had been imposed against the cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI.

Read the full text of Archbishop Viganò's explosive letter here.

Archbishop Viganò, who served as apostolic nuncio in Washington D.C. from 2011-2016, alleges that after his election, Pope Francis made McCarrick “his trusted counselor” and that he took his advice in several key liberal appointments in the U.S., including Cardinal Blase Cupich in Chicago, Cardinal Joseph Tobin in Newark, and Bishop Robert McElroy in San Diego.

Vigano implicates numerous other cardinals in the cover-up, including Cardinals Sodano, Bertone, and Parolin. He insists that Cardinal Wuerl, the current archbishop of Washington, D.C. was well aware of McCarrick’s misdeeds, contrary to Wuerl’s own assertions.

“Let us be clear that they are still allegations but as your shepherd I find them to be credible,” Bishop Strickland wrote. “Using this standard the response must be a thorough investigation similar to those conducted any time allegations are deemed to be credible.”

“I do not have the authority to launch such an investigation but I will lend my voice in whatever way necessary to call for this investigation and urge that it’s findings demand accountability of all found to be culpable even at the highest levels of the Church,” he added.

In comments to LifeSite today, Cardinal Raymond Burke insisted Vigano’s charges must be taken seriously and also called for a thorough investigation of every allegation.

“The corruption and filth which have entered into the life of the Church must be purified at their roots,” Burke said.

“The declarations made by a prelate of the authority of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò must be totally taken to heart by those responsible in the Church. Each declaration must be subject to investigation, according to the Church’s time-tried procedural law.”

Read Cardinal Burke’s full response to Archbishop Vigano’s letter here.         

 

Bishop Strickland’s full letter to the faithful:

Dear Priests, Deacons, Religious and all Holy Faithful of the Diocese of Tyler,

A letter (see below) by Archbishop Vigano, former Nuncio to the United States, raises grave allegations and calls for the resignation of numerous high ranking prelates including Pope Francis.

Let us be clear that they are still allegations but as your shepherd I find them to be credible.  Using this standard the response must be a thorough investigation similar to those conducted any time allegations are deemed to be credible.  I do not have the authority to launch such an investigation but I will lend my voice in whatever way necessary to call for this investigation and urge that it’s findings demand accountability of all found to be culpable even at the highest levels of the Church.

As this unfolds I urge all in the Diocese of Tyler to pray fervently for Holy Mother Church and beg the Intercession of Our Blessed Mother.  We are the flock of Jesus Christ.  He is Lord of His Church and His Holy Spirit will guide us through this darkness.

Almighty God Father, Son and Spirit have mercy on your Church and cleanse her in the fires of your Love.

Blessed Virgin Mary, Pray for us
All Sainted Popes & Bishops in Heaven, Pray for us
All Holy Men and Women, Pray for us

I direct all priests to include this notice in the masses on August 26, and post it on their websites and other social media immediately.

Most Reverend Joseph E. Strickland
Bishop of Tyler

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