Wuerl To Discuss Potential Resignation With Pope Francis

PITTSBURGH, PA - Cardinal Donald Wuerl will discuss with Pope Francis his possible resignation as leader of the Archdiocese of Washington following criticism of his handling of child sex abuse cases while he was Pittsburgh’s bishop.

In a letter to Washington priests, Wuerl said he will meet with Pope Francis to discuss the resignation letter he turned in nearly three years ago at age 75 - the mandatory age for Catholic bishops to submit their retirement to the pope.

"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 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.

Zubik on Tuesday announced a “year of repentance” in which all clergy in the Pittsburgh diocese will fast and pray for the purification of the church in the wake of the scandal.

“Faced with the sinful actions of the members of our own ranks of the clergy, who are called to manifest the example of Christ, we feel both shame and sorrow, and are reminded of our own sinfulness and the need for mercy,” Zubik wrote in a letter to diocesan priests, deacons and seminarians.

Photo via Getty Images.

Subscribe to Pittsburgh Patch for more local news and real-time alerts

.