Cardinal’s actions scrutinized in sexual abuse investigation
Grand jury depicts his actions as mixed
The groundbreaking investigation into sexual abuse in Pennsylvania’s Catholic Church has raised questions about Cardinal Donald Wuerl, who spent 18 years as the bishop of Pittsburgh and now serves as the archbishop of Washington.
The grand jury depicts Wuerl’s actions in Pittsburgh as mixed, at times stopping abusive priests from continuing in their ministries in the diocese and at other times guiding them right back into parishes.
The Pennsylvania grand jury investigation, which probed six dioceses’ histories dating back to 1947 and found more than 300 priests who abused more than 1,000 children, comes at a time when the Washington archdiocese is already reeling.
Theodore McCarrick, who preceded Wuerl as archbishop of Washington from 2001 to 2006, stepped down last month from the College of Cardinals, becoming the first cardinal in history to resign because he was accused of sexual abuse.
Wuerl had already denied knowing about the allegations against McCarrick, which include two accusations of sexually abusing minors and three more accounts of harassing young priests and seminarians.
On Tuesday, upon the release of the grand jury report, he also defended his conduct in Pittsburgh.
“While I understand this Report may be critical of some of my actions, I believe the Report confirms that I acted with diligence, with concern for the victims and to prevent future acts of abuse. I sincerely hope that a just assessment of my actions, past and present, and my continuing commitment to the protection of children will dispel any notions otherwise made by this report,” he said in a statement.
On Tuesday night, the Washington archdiocese posted a website, TheWuerlRecord.com, defending the cardinal.
“The Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania released a report regarding sexual abuse allegations against Catholic priests in Pennsylvania,” the website says. “The following information highlights the child protection efforts of Cardinal Donald Wuerl during his tenure as the Bishop of Pittsburgh, from 1988 to 2006, and provides additional context not included in the report on Cardinal Wuerl’s work as a longtime advocate and voice on this issue.”
The grand jury report does include numerous examples of Wuerl refusing to return priests to parishes after they were accused of sexual abuse.
According to the investigation, Wuerl told Leo Burchianti - accused of sexually pursuing at least eight young boys, some of whom he told that he “wanted to rape” them - that he would not grant his request to assign him to a new parish. Burchianti retired.
When Charles Chatt, who had admitted to sexual contact with six minors, asked to be assigned to a new parish, Wuerl refused his request.