Catholics Outraged by Cardinal Wuerl’s Presence at March for Life Rally

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WASHINGTON (ChurchMilitant.com) - Catholics are outraged by a scandal-ridden cardinal taking center stage at the national March for Life.

For 25 years, the archdiocese of Washington, D.C. has hosted a Youth Rally and Mass for Life on the day of the national March for Life in Washington, D.C. While the archbishop of the diocese generally presides over the Mass, many Catholics are demanding that Cdl. Donald Wuerl not preside at this year's event.

In October, Pope Francis accepted Wuerl's resignation but allowed him to remain as the apostolic administrator of the archdiocese until his successor is named.

Church Militant has been contacted by a number of Catholics who said they contacted the archdiocese of Washington, D.C. to demand Wuerl and any other clergy that have been credibly accused of abuse or covering up abuse be barred from participating in any March for Life event in January.

Expressing their "disgust," or calling it a "shameful, stomach churning, horrific disgrace," they echoed a video posted by Fr. Mark Goring, the director of the Catholic Charismatic Center in Houston, Texas, where he explains Wuerl's presence at the Youth Rally and Mass for Life will say three things:

It communicates the utmost disrespect for the victims of sexual abuse by clergy, that these cases are no big deal and that Church leaders can get away with allowing these situations to be swept under the rug.

"No way, It's a BIG deal!" one commented on the video. "These mistakes are not small and the harm done by them are untold and no, we cannot allow the corruption network amongst our Church leaders to get away with sexual abuse cover-ups anymore!"

Father Goring created the St. Joseph's Battalion as a "band of warriors" to take action against these outrages, and their first campaign is against Wuerl.

"We're going after these people," he said. "We're making it clear the party is over for you."

The outrage stems from the Pennsylvania grand jury report that named Wuerl over 200 times in association with the "systematic" cover-up of abuse that went on for decades. Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania attorney general, publicly condemned Wuerl as one of the bishops who covered up abuse.

Even more are outraged over Cdl. Wuerl's denial that he knew anything of disgraced former-cardinal Theodore McCarrick's predatory behavior despite having taken over the archdiocese from McCarrick.

In a detailed report on how the gay mafia has "spread its tentacles throughout the Church," investigative journalist George Neumayr wrote, "That Wuerl didn't know about the predations of his predecessor is about as likely as Harvey Weinstein's brother and business partner not knowing about the mogul's widely rumored misdeeds."

Over 20,000 people signed the two petitions started during the height of the scandals that called for Cdl. Wuerl to resign. These petitions are still active.

Father Goring blasted Wuerl for suggesting that the bishops investigate themselves. He also pointed to Wuerl's financial irregularities, like Wuerl's involvement with the $25 million grant from the Papal Foundation that is unaccounted for.

Initially requested as a loan, Pope Francis requested the money as a loan for the Istituto Dermopatico Dell'Immacolata (IDI), a hospital in Rome that has been investigated by Italian authorities for embezzlement and tax fraud of nearly a billion euros. McCarrick was a member of the Papal Foundation board at the time, was under Vatican investigation for sex abuse and voted four times to send the loan to the Vatican.

Later, under Cdl. Wuerl's insistence, the loan was changed to a grant, and despite a lack of any supporting documentation showing how the money was going to be used, $8 million was sent. In a move that touched off a civil war within the organization, the 15 bishops on the board voted to send the remaining $17 million to the hospital over the objections of the other nine stewards.

"We're sick of this insulting secrecy," Fr. Goring said. He said the corruption network has ruined the reputation of the Catholic Church, of all bishops and of all the priests.

"We have no more respect in our society," he lamented.

Father Goring also implored EWTN Global Catholic Network not to air any more Masses by clergy that have been implicated in the horrific scandals.

"Please, don't support this cover-up mentality in the Church," he said.

"That's the problem with Wuerl, he thinks he can still just go along as if nothing happened," Fr. Goring said. "Get out of the Church!"

The members of the battalion are first asked to "get on their knees three times a day giving thanks to God — because that's what Daniel did." He recalled how Daniel was spared from the den of lions because of his prayers.

"I want a band of warriors the lions can't touch," he said.

Father Goring plans on posting new videos regularly.

"In 2019, we're declaring in no uncertain terms those days are over," he said.

Church Militant reached out the archdiocese of Washington, D.C. but has not heard back by press time.

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