Pope Francis Accepts Cardinal Donald Wuerl's Resignation

PITTSBURGH, PA - Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the Washington, D.C. archbishop, following vociferous criticism of his handling of child sex abuse cases while he was Pittsburgh's bishop. The Vatican press office announced the move Friday.

Like all bishops and cardinals, Wuerl turned in his resignation letter three years ago when he turned 75 - the mandatory age for Catholic bishops to submit their retirement to the pope. Cardinals typically are allowed to serve until they are 80, however.

The man CNN labeled one of the world’s most powerful Catholic leaders as mentioned prominently in a recently grand jury report identifying more than 300 predator priests in six Pennsylvania dioceses, including 99 from the Pittsburgh diocese.

The report was highly critical of how Wuerl handled sexual abuse allegations when he was Pittsburgh's bishop. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has accused Wuerl and his successor, current Pittsburgh Bishop Daivd Zubik, of covering up the rapes of children by priests.

Both men have denied any cover-up occurred.

Since the grand jury report, Wuerl's name has been removed from North Catholic High School in Cranberry. Wuerl and Zubik also are defendants in three civil lawsuits filed on behalf of people allegedly abused by diocesan priests.

In a letter last month to Washington priests,Wuerl said he would meet with Pope Francisto discuss his possible resignation.

"At issue is how to begin effectively to bring a new level of healing to survivors who have personally suffered so much and to the faithful entrusted to our care who have also been wounded by the shame of these terrible actions and have questions about their bishop's ability to provide the necessary leadership," Wuerl wrote.

Wuerl was raised in Mt. Washington and was a 1958 graduate of St. Mary of the Mount High School. He served as auxiliary bishop of Seattle from 1986-87, Pittsburgh bishop from 1988 until 2006 and Washington, D.C. archbishop from 2006 until Friday. He was elevated to the cardinalate by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.

Photo: Getty Images.

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