Banished, expelled.
Today's First reading alerted me to the sad fact McCarrick's canonical punishment would be announced today.
The LORD God therefore banished him from the garden of Eden,to till the ground from which he had been taken.When he expelled the man,he settled him east of the garden of Eden;and he stationed the cherubim and the fiery revolving sword,to guard the way to the tree of life. - GN 3:9-24
Expelled from the clerical state.
“On 11 January 2019, the Congresso of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, at the conclusion of a penal process, issued a decree finding Theodore Edgar McCarrick, archbishop emeritus of Washington, D.C., guilty of the following delicts while a cleric: solicitation in the Sacrament of Confession, and sins against the Sixth Commandment with minors and with adults, with the aggravating factor of the abuse of power. The Congresso imposed on him the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state,” the statement form the congregation explained.
The ex-cardinal then appealed this decision but was told on the 15 February that the decision to laicise him was definitive.
“The Holy Father has recognised the definitive nature of this decision made in accord with law, rendering it a res iudicata (i.e., admitting of no further recourse).” - source
Today I pray for McCarrick. Imagine such a fall from grace, to have gained the whole world, to have your reputation and honor stripped from you. Imagine those who supported and protected and covered for him - how shameful. Sharing the lies, participating in the charade. How infinitely sad.
I pray for McCarrick.
Adam: Expulsion from the Garden of Eden.
Masaccio, Brancacci Chapel.
Part of me was thinking GOOD! He deserves this! The other part of me was sad that evil had corrupted someone who was in a position to do such good.
ReplyDeleteOh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in need of thy mercy. Amen.
I feel exactly the same way.
DeleteAll is vanity ...
DeleteWhen I read the news, I remembered something he is reported to have told one of his victims who threatened to expose him, "don't you know how important I am? They will never believe you."
I am sorry to say I suspect he is not alone. Yes, he needs prayers and his victims justice. So, what happens now. Is he evicted from the monastery he fled too? Is he addressed as Mr. McCarrick? Not allowed on Church property? Is there a penance imposed? He is not the first Cardinal to live an immoral life and will not be the last either. So what happens to him? What changes?
ReplyDeleteIt is a shameful humiliation and fall from grace for the former cardinal. And yes, as a Catholic and a Franciscan, I will pray for his soul, that he makes a penance pleasing to God out of this mess.
ReplyDeleteBut I will pray even harder for his victims, who this man knowingly terrified, bullied, and forcibly removed their innocence, purity, and chastity - both the children and the seminarians who wanted to give their lives to God. And for the faithful laity and clergy, who have had to bear the cost of the damage this man inflicted, sometimes losing their beloved schools and parishes to pay victim settlements, and worse, who have been faced with the humiliation of holding their heads up and defending and rebuilding the Church when others question how we can possibly follow a religion that seemingly shields and rewards deviants.
Justice is not always pretty and is sometimes painful. I am very glad justice was done in this case. God bless and protect all of us, including the former cardinal - Susan, OFS
Susan, very well said. Thank you. Robin
ReplyDelete