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Pope Francis | Cardinal Wuerl

WASHINGTON, September 11, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) – In a letter released today to priests of the Archdiocese of Washington, Cardinal Donald Wuerl has informed them that he intends, “in the very near future, to go to Rome to meet with our Holy Father about the resignation I presented nearly three years ago, November 12, 2015.”

“It was clear that some decision, sooner rather than later, on my part is an essential aspect” of moving forward, the letter said.

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The embattled Cardinal of Washington has been under the spotlight since the revelations of sexual abuse of his predecessor Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. Cardinal Wuerl’s denial of any knowledge of the allegations against McCarrick has been blasted even by other bishops as not credible. These criticisms were heightened last month when Wuerl featured prominently in the Pennsylvania grand jury report as playing a role in covering up for predator priests while serving as bishop of Pittsburgh.

There have been numerous calls for his resignation. 

The explosive testimony of Archbishop Viganò, the former papal representative to the United States, called out Wuerl for lying about the McCarrick affair. Viganò claimed that Pope Francis covered up for McCarrick, giving him honors and responsibilities, despite having detailed knowledge of his abuse of seminarians and priests.