Image copyright AFP/Getty Images Symbol caption Archbishop Vigano (L) is alleged to be in hiding after he accused the Pope of ignoring claims of clerical sex abuse
A former Vatican diplomat who accused the Pope of masking up reports of clerical sex abuse has fled Italy in fear of his life, it is claimed.
In an 11-web page letter printed on Sunday, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano said Pope Francis knew about allegations in opposition to a US cardinal for five years ahead of accepting his resignation.
Italian blogger Aldo Maria Valli says the archbishop advised him sooner than the letter emerged that he had “already bought an aeroplane price tag”.
Recounting a meeting among the pair, Valli describes what the archbishop told him, writing: “he will depart the country. He can not tell me the place he’s going. i’m not to search for him. His old mobile phone number will not work. we are saying goodbye for the final time.”
An English translation of the blogpost has been published on Catholic Journal OnePeterFive.
Image copyright Reuters Symbol caption Theodore McCarrick was the primary Catholic cardinal to renounce due to the fact 1927
Pope Francis “knew from at least 23 June 2013 that McCarrick used to be a serial predator”, the archbishop wrote, adding: “He knew that he was once a corrupt man, he lined for him to the bitter finish.”
McCarrick, now 88, resigned in shame in July.
“Pope Francis must be the primary to set an excellent instance for cardinals and bishops who lined up McCarrick’s abuses and surrender together with all of them,” Archbishop Vigano wrote.
The archbishop, who served as the Vatican’s envoy in Washington from 2011 till 2016, has produced no evidence of his alleged 2013 dialog with the Pope.
His letter was published as the Pope addressed sexual abuse by way of monks throughout a two-day visit to Ireland.
How has the Pope reacted?
Pope Francis has declined to comment on the claims in opposition to him.
“i will be able to now not say a word about that. i believe the statement speaks for itself,” he advised journalists on his aircraft as he flew again to Rome on Monday.
Symbol copyright Reuters Symbol caption Pope Francis instructed newshounds to draw their own conclusions on the archbishop’s letter
The Pope instructed those present to “read the file carefully and decide it for yourselves”.
“You’ve Gotten sufficient journalistic capability to draw conclusions,” he added.
How have Catholics replied?
Reaction from within the Catholic neighborhood has various extensively, reflecting divided attitudes to Pope Francis.
While extra revolutionary Catholics have praised the Pope’s engagement with social issues, the church’s conservative wing regard him as unsuitably liberal.
Some Catholics have referred to as for a whole investigation into Archbishop Vigano’s allegations.
Others have pointed to perceived inconsistencies – including the fact that Cardinal McCarrick used to be seen in public with Pope Benedict after the date he was once supposedly sanctioned by him.
Nicolas Seneze, the Rome correspondent for the French day-to-day L. A. Croix, told the AFP news company there is “a clear desire to attack” the pontiff.
