Who's Really Making Ongoing Payments Towards Cardinal Wuerl's Retirement?

Let me preface this by saying that I regularly peruse the Catholic Standard, official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington.  In the February 18th issue of the Standard, the supposed "Financial Report to the People of the Archdiocese of Washington, Fiscal Year 2019-2020".  I scoured that report, with my CPA eyes, and found in it no hint of the items that will be mentioned in this post.   So much for transparency.

I congratulate the staff and writers of The Pillar, for I believe they broke this news (correct me if I'm wrong).  LifeSiteNews also commented about this, and I link also to their piece for embedded in that is a link to the official audited reports of the Archdiocese.  Readers of the Standard might want to compare this and the Standard's report side by side.  I noticed that the financial report, while printed in the Standard, was not on the Standard's website.  Frankly I find that odd and I think it only serves to cast further doubt on this notion of archdiocesan transparency.

Even as one examines the official auditors' report, one really has to look for mention of this $2 million to Cardinal Wuerl.  It's in the "Net Asset" section of the Statements of Financial Position.  The subheading is "Net assets without donor restrictions"; bear this in mind, for it will be very telling later.  The number is $55.9 million, and it refers to the Notes of the Financial Statement - note m, to be precise.

So slog through the Financial Statement notes and you will find a list of items that sum to the $55.9 million.  Sure enough, we see "Continuing ministry activities for Archbishop Emeritus".  He received over $2 million this year and $1.4 million last year.  Is this sort of disbursement supposed to be an annual occurrence?  One could reasonably assume in the positive.   Taylor Marshall pointed out some interesting math behind it.  $2 million per year is equivalent to about $167k per month.  Breaking that down further, that is approximately $5k every day!  What kind of "continuing ministry activities" require $5k every day?  

Pillar and several others have posed these types of questions to the DC chancery.  These inquiries prompted Cardinal Gregory to publicize this statement.  Please notice that he says that "donations" to the Wuerl fund "were made by persons who want to cover Cardinal Wuerl's expenses.."   Therefore these "donations" are, by definition, donor-restricted.  Two paragraphs up, we saw that the official financial statements calls these donations "assets without donor restrictions"!  I regret that this statement of Cardinal Gregory's has all the smell of a damage-control alibi.  

I noticed some other interesting things in note m.  There is a "reserve for future legal costs" of $3 million.  Pray tell, what necessitates such a huge reserve?  Priestly formation, on the other hand, seems to rate only a relatively minor sum of $1 million; is that indicative of the low priority that the archdiocese places on the spiritual wellbeing of DC-area Catholics?

Some brain-storm questions I will now list.

• Why does there exist the disparity between Gregory's flim-flam excuse and the language used on the audited financial report?
• What is the ultimate source of funds for the $3.4 million that has been shelled out on Cardinal Wuerl's behalf over the past two years?
• What is the usage of these funds?  Is it strictly cash for him or are vendors being paid on Wuerl's behalf?
• Assuming that the $2 million comes from general donations (such as in-pew collections) as suggested by the Statements of Financial positions, wouldn't more worthwhile expenditures be "priestly formation" (that only received $1 million) or going towards the funding of the retirement liability?
• Is Cardinal Wuerl truly the only beneficiary of this fund?  Unanswered remains the question of who/what is paying the living expenses of Theodore McCarrick.

What we see here are yet more reasons why not to give one red penny to the Archdiocese of Washington.

Vigano Vindicated - Pope, Wuerl, McCarrick Lied

Owing to other matters that required attention (e.g., the Rob Schenck betrayal, Bishop Tobin's heroism and subsequent cowardice), I haven't given this latest development its due.  I trust that other sources have filled in some gaps, but will now add my commentary, as Wuerl and McCarrick were, at one time, my bishops.

Msgr Anthony Figueiredo, a former aide to then Archbishop McCarrick while in New Jersey, published details of correspondence that confirms the revelations by Archbishop Vigano.  As you'll read, McCarrick acknowledged the restrictions placed on him in 2008.

I will now digress into an important aside.  Readers of my blog in June of 2010, shortly after Sr. Carol Keehan influenced the passage of the Obama Hell Bill, will recall that we picketed her appearance at the commencement exercises of Gonzaga High School in DC.  I took video of that picket.  I ask you to watch the confrontation between one of my colleagues and ... Cardinal McCarrick!.  This event happened in 2010, well after he was informed that he was not permitted to make such public appearances!  At that time we had no idea that he was under those sanctions.  Only now do we know that not only was his appearance with Keehan its own scandal, but it was also an act of direct disobedience to Pope Benedict XVI!

Now let's get back to the current situation.  In the correspondence, we see that McCarrick knew he had to change residences.  He mentioned that Wuerl was assisting him in that matter.  So Wuerl knew of the restrictions and allowed McCarrick to gallivant wherever he pleased.  He joined in the defiance against Pope Benedict XVI.

George Weigel related how Vigano informed him on several occasions, going back to 2013, that he told Pope Francis about McCarrick and his abuse of young men, seminarians and priests.  In the wake of the pope's denials of these conversations, Weigel said he didn't believe that Vigano was making it up.  This comes several days after which the pope flat-out denied knowing anything about McCarrick - a claim that Vigano calls a lie.  Now for other commentary...

ADW's Next Bumpy Ride Gets Underway

As of today, our archdiocese is now under the spiritual care (or lack thereof) of Archbishop Wilton Gregory.  His installation Mass and ceremony today was a mere harbinger of things to come.  From Catholic News Agency we see some snippets of insipidity.  To wit: "I want to be a welcoming shepherd who laughs with you whenever we can, who cries with you whenever we must, and who honestly confesses his faults and failings before you when I commit them, not when they are revealed"

No, no, NO!  Forget all this talk of "laughing" and "crying", Your Excellency!  You are our designated leader and shepherd!  Where are the promises to uphold the Sacred Deposit of the Faith?  Where are the promises to call dissidents to repentance and to discipline them when necessary?  Where are the promises to expunge the poisons of abortion advocacy and gay-coddling from the clergy and church structures? 

Enough of this talk of giggling and blubbering!  That is silly, effeminate, touchy-feely fairy-talk!  Such a squishy screed confirms our misgivings that the dissidence-coddling of your Atlanta days  simply changed locations.  For us in the Archdiocese of Washington, it portends at best that our episcopal leadership will be lack-luster at best.  I hope to be proved incorrect.

But alas, two other harbingers of continued mediocrity were at that Mass.  Those "signs" are now-disgraced Cardinal Wuerl and now-disgraced Cardinal Mahony.  Yes, they were right up there.  I wouldn't be a bit surprised if McCarrick was also in attendance.  Of course in his laicized state he would have had to be in the congregation.  But I digress.

Given the way that both Wuerl and Mahony have disgraced their own collars and robes, a normal person might have presumed that they would stay away.  But they didn't.  Were they defiantly sending a message that their vision for the Church in the US was being advanced by Gregory's placement as Archbishop of Washington?  I wouldn't be surprised for unfortunately they may be correct.  That is all the more reason to pray that our clergy return to the One True Faith.

We Have Been Heard - Wuerl Not Presiding At Youth Rally Mass

In my previous post I wondered if Cardinal Wuerl would exhibit the bad taste and tone-deafness so as to preside at the Youth Rally Mass before the March for Life on Friday Jan 18.  I'm sure you share my delight in learning that he will not preside. The main celebrant will be the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Christophe Pierre.  The CNA article did not indicate whether or not Wuerl will be a concelebrant, but I hope not.

We can take a lesson from this, namely, when we speak up we can be heard.  Our voices (and yes, our money) do matter.  We must never be afraid or reluctant to take action to defend our Faith.  Will we be successful every time we try?  Probably not.  However, we will fail every time we decline to act.  Ora et labora.

In related news, our erstwhile bishop continues to make a fool of himself vis-a-vis his refusal to accept responsibility for allowing McCarrick to continue his predations for years after he learned of them.  First he asked for "understanding".  Now, in a word, he denies the denials that denied the denials.  Got that?  I trust that is as clear as mud.  Anyway, he can run at the mouth all he want's; faithful Catholics are no longer buying the, uh, "bovine excrement".

But the fecal matter continues to flow.  He tried to pin blame on a "memory lapse"?  A decent, sane human being doesn't have "memory lapses" about such weighty matters.  Perhaps he doesn't remember what he had for lunch on the day he learned of McCarrick's horrid crimes, but he would never forget the crimes themselves.  What we are seeing in reality is a "credibility lack".

Keep your eyes open, your rosaries in hand, and act.

Yet Another Good Priest Stifled By The Church Establishment Mafia - Updated

SEE BELOW FOR UPDATE

Cardinal Wuerl, although technically no longer archbishop of Washington owing to his complicity in covering for the now-disgraced pederast bishop McCarrick, still carries on like he did nothing amiss.  To the disgust of faithful Catholics, he was the main celebrant at Christmas Mass at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  He is now slated to take center stage at the Youth Rally and Mass that usually occurs before the March for Life in January.  A petition is afoot to ask the archdiocese of Washington to rescind the invitation to the cardinal for that event.  Truth be told, I don't know how that can fly for Wuerl is still the administrator for the Archdiocese of Washington.

Some important comments about the "youth rally".  These have been going on ever since the archdiocese began to support the March for Life (yes, there was a time when the archdiocese ignored the march - surprise!).  When I first became involved in pro-life work, I attended those things (at the time, held at DAR Constitution Hall).  I soon stopped attending them.

• They occurred during the same time that the main rally was happening on the Ellipse.  That prevented the Catholics at DAR from being included in the Park Police's crowd size estimate.
• When I pointed that out to diocesan pro-life officials, it was admitted to me that the bishops didn't want Catholics to listen to some of the speakers that Nellie Gray and others had invited.  He specified that the now-deceased Jesse Helms was one such speaker.
• For many of the clergy, including the prelates, the rally was the only time during the year that they uttered one peep about abortion - nothing for the rest of the year.  In other words, they could use the rally as their token "pro-life activism" when we would chide them for their silence during the rest of the year.
• The rally and the Mass took an incredible amount of work and expense to throw together.  The pro-life office was staffed with good people, but they were ordered to waste many months on what was essentially a dog-and-pony show.  That time could have been better spent in providing leadership, goals, etc for parish pro-life groups that literally foundered and atrophied for lack of guidance.

Therefore, my advice is to eschew that extravaganza at the Verizon Center.  One can find a Mass at a local parish and be at the general rally - the entire rally.

Enough of that sad history - back to the present.  Cardinal Wuerl is going to strut through that rally as though nothing is amiss and pretend that he prioritizes pro-life matters.  Catholics are rightly outraged.

A priest of the Companions of the Cross, Father Mark Goring, put up a very fine video expressing what many of us believe, and urging us to take action.  Well, lo and behold, he was forced to take it down.  I regret that I did not get to it soon enough, for I would have downloaded it to prevent it from fading; I hope that other faithful Catholics were able to do so. Church Militant has an account of his video, and some snippets of Father's address are quoted therein.  Father put up another video explaining why he removed that video, and I did archive that.  Listen very closely; I'll offer comments below that.



Notice how he said - repeatedly - that he removed the video out of obedience to superiors.  As a priest and religious, he is vowed to obey his superiors, provided that the ordered action is not inherently immoral.  Never did he say that he agrees with their reasoning.

Now what else is going on this week?  YES!  The bishops are holed up in a seminary, supposedly on retreat to focus on how badly they botched up with their own sexual misbehviors!  Father Goring is director of the Catholic Charismatic Center in Houston TX (Wanna bet how long that will last?  But I digress!)  That is DiNardo's diocese.  We all know how he got railroaded at the USCCB meeting last month.  Either he contacted the superiors of the Companions of the Cross, Cupich and/or Wuerl beat on DiNardo to do that, or the two contacted the CC superiors themselves.  Father Goring repeated said the order came from his superiors; he mentioned no bishop.

Father Goring's facebook page is quite revealing.  It appears that he has issued several videos that detail the sad and sordid truth of episcopal scandals within the Church, all the way up to Pope Francis.  Scroll down the page and notice how many of those videos have been removed.  They've been removed at the behest of his superiors.

While Father Going is indeed vowed to obedience and had no choice but to assume silence, we the laity are under no such constraint.  Indeed, silence for us is NOT a morally valid option.  We must speak out, we must write, we must picket.  In short, we must make errant clergy squirm with discomfort on account of them dragging Holy Mother Church through the mud and scandalizing poor souls into hell.

To protest the treatment of Father Goring and the suppression of truth, contact:

• Cardinal Daniel DiNardo at 1-713-659-5461 (Bishop of Galveston-Houston)
• Very Reverend Allan MacDonald CC, General Superior of the Companions of the Cross, 1-613-728-3175
• Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the US, 1-202-333-7121

UPDATE: None too surprisingly, the video is gone - but only from Father Goring's page, that is.  I have a copy.  Once something is posted on the internet, it never really goes away.  I will explore ways to promulgate it myself.  The truth will NOT be suppressed. 

UPDATE AS OF 1-13: Indeed the truth is not suppressed, as I found the video elsewhere.

Police Raid Of DiNardo's Offices Raises Some Interesting Questions

We see from here and here and here that various Texas law enforcement agencies conducted a surprise raid on the offices of the Galveston-Houson Archdiocese.  They were searching for data focusing on one priest and found information concerning several more who abused young boys.

As far as this Texas situation goes, I think this is a most positive and much needed move.  However, in light of the recent USCCB meeting, some questions immediately arise in my mind.  Texas officials descended on the offices of DiNardo very soon after that meeting.  However, why haven't local officials swarmed upon the chanceries of Washington DC, Chicago, Metucheon and others?  I'm sure that quite a few of those local officials are eager to move in.  What is restraining them?  What restrained the Texas officials until just now?

Recall that at the meeting, Cardinal DiNardo, president of the USCCB, made plain to all his displeasure at the pope's orders that measures pertaining to the sex abuse crisis not be voted upon at that meeting.  Cupich interrupted him, making quite clear that he, not DiNardo, enjoyed the pope's favor.  So now, all of the sudden, it's DiNardo's chancery that is raided.  Mind you, this is not to impugn the local Texas officials who are just doing their job.  I suspect something or someone was preventing them, just as they are preventing law officials from showing up at the DC and Chicago chanceries.  Could those restraints have been lifted from the Texas officials as punishment for DiNardo's public displeasure at Pope Francis?

The Pope's Hatchet Men

Towards the beginning of the debacle known as the USCCB meeting in Baltimore, Cardinal DiNardo, president of the USCCB, announced the pope's orders to shelve any vote on measures to deal with the episcopal sex abuse scandals.  It was apparent the DiNardo made the announcement with much chagrin and some of the bishops were likewise displeased at the announcement.  Right away Cardinal Cupich stood up and declared that the pope was taking the matter seriously.  It was clear that he knew of the pope's intentions and his mission was to run interference for the pope.

Throughout the meeting it was apparent that Cupich was the de facto head honcho of the meeting, along with Cardinal Wuerl.  A few months ago Wuerl elicited well-deserved scorn for suggesting that bishops should investigate one another: specifically, an accused bishop should be investigated by his metropolitan, as Archbishop Lori is ostensibly doing with Bishop Bransfield.  In other words, the foxes should guard the hen houses.   That is precisely what Wuerl and Cupich tried to cram down the throats of the other bishops.  Here is a video, but more follows this video.



Another henchman is Cardinal Joseph Tobin.  As Tobin was checking out of the hotel after the meeting, George Neumayr intercepted him and asked him several questions.  Tobin didn't bother to deny that Italian actor Francesco Castiglione was living in his rectory - but didn't give any plausible reason why.  It may be reasonable to opine that he was the intended recipient of the "nighty-night baby I love you" tweet.  I pray that Tobin was being honest when he said that he wouldn't be foisted upon the DC archdiocese as its next bishop.

A few bishops - but only a few - spoke up with some truth at that meeting.  See the video below.  Meanwhile, Legatus, an organization of Catholic businessmen, announced that they would be withholding their annual donations to the Vatican in light of their abysmal performance.  No doubt they want reassurances that their donations won't be used to cover up the mortal sins of clergymen.  We need to do that as well - withhold our donations until they get serious and clean the filth from their own ranks.

Pope Francis, Do NOT Appoint Another Dissident To The Archdiocese Of Washington!

As announced a few days ago, the pope has (finally!) accepted the resignation of Cardinal Wuerl as Archbishop of Washington.  The pope stipulated that Wuerl is to retain authority as "apostolic administrator" until a successor is selected.  We may rest assured that Wuerl will have huge input (if not sole input) regarding that selection.  However long it takes, Wuerl will be in charge; that is, he's gone in name only.

The rumor mill has floated some names, none of which are outside the realm of possibilities, given the mindsets of both Wuerl and the pope.  Some of these give great cause for concern, as I have written when the "possibilities" have made their problematic characteristics known.  They are:

• Cardinal Joseph "nighty-night baby" Tobin  He allowed lesbians to celebrate their perversion of #mowwidge in a KofC hall.  He allowed gay "pilgirmages" in his diocese.  He poo-pooed the concerns of the Dubia Cardinals.  He is not to be confused with Bishop Thomas Tobin of Rhode Island.
• Bishop Robert McElroy - In his opposition to President Trump, he wrote that "we must all become disrupters"; might he hold some blame for all the antifa crap going on now?  We faithful Catholics who expose him, on the other hand, are called "cancers" engaging in "verbal violence".  He ordered his priests to give Holy Communion to adulterous Catholics.
• Cardinal Blaise Cupich - his appointment here would be the stuff of nightmares.  He has persecuted faithful priests such as Fathers Frank Phillips and Paul Kalchik.  He is a shill for the giving of Holy Communion to adulterers and sodomites.  He allows dissidents like Father Michael Pfleger to run rampant.  Church Militant put up a petition that he be removed - and now he might come here?  Puh-leeezeee!

I and many faithful Catholic bloggers have taken these prelates (and others) to task.  To the trolls who have been charged by the Vatican to follow our blogs, please be advised that if any of these (or other dissidents) are assigned to the Washington Archdiocese, we will rebuke them when necessary (perhaps that might be its own full-time job).  We will shine the light on any misdeeds.  

We of the Archdiocese of Washington have already put up with two dissident prelates and have seen good priests here both hog-tied and/or expelled.  Be advised that we will not be silent.  We will take a page from Pope Francis' playbook and make a mess for those who would turn the mystical body of Christ into just another social-justice, community-organizing progressive racket.

Rest assured we will be watching and we won't hesitate to raise our voices and withhold our dollars if we perceive the next bishop to be one who will continue with the desecration of Holy Mother Church.  To the progressive Vatican officials who even now ponder their choices, if you do select another progressive, well, to borrow a phrase of Cardinal Cupich, do you really want to go down that rabbit hole?

Pope Francis Accepts Wuerl's Resignation As DC Archbishop

I certainly was delighted to see that news this morning.  By the way - isn't it just the strangest of coincidences that news like this often breaks on Fridays?  It's like some people hope that the weekend will help dissipate interest in the topic at large, right?  But I digress.

But as I pondered the pope's request that Wuerl remain as an interim administrator in DC until a successor is named and installed, my jubilation was tempered somewhat.  Just how long will this selection process take?  Is this "resignation acceptance" thing just a ploy to allow Wuerl to retain all his authority and influence while pretending that he really isn't doing that?  Speaking of authority, Wuerl will still retain his position at the College for Bishops.  I'd also be willing to bet that he'll have significant input, if not sole discretion, in the selection of his successor.

The CM link has the full text of the pope's letter in which he accepts Wuerl's resignation.  As you read it, please have some peptol bismol at the ready and try not to punch your computer screens.  His praise of Wuerl is over the top, yapping and yammering about his "heart of the shepherd" and "nobility".  Oh, puleeze!  Get real!  Oh, wait a minute!  What can we expect? In many ways the pope and Wuerl are two peas from the same pod.

Another pea from that same pod is Father Rosica - yes, this one!  After the news broke, he let loose with a tweet praising Wuerl, saying "he touched us".  One might wonder just where was he touched?  Given the fact that Wuerl is suffering the just desserts of having covered for McCarrick and other predators, we can only state that Rosica's choice of words was oafish and boorish at best.  Or perhaps it was quite the Freudian slip.

Catholics in the DC archdiocese, please be alert as to how this news is handled at Mass this Sunday.  Share your reactions in the comment boxes if you'd like.  We will all keep praying our Rosaries, as many more clerical dissidents and predators need to be removed.

Let Us Pray This Happens Soon

Please continue with your rosaries that his resignation is finally accepted.

Listening Session At St Mary's In Rockville

This evening St Mary's Church in Rockville MD held a "listening session" inside the church.  Unlike the "small-group" format at my parish, everyone had a chance to address the entire gathering via open mike.  Many did so.  The general consensus among those gathered (including me) is that Cardinal Wuerl must resign as archbishop of Washington.  A few chided the clergy for "not speaking truth to power" and for covering for him.

I regret that two people used their speaking times to shill for female ordination.  However, I was also pleased that some acknowledged the homosexual aspect of these crimes against young people.

Most people acknowledged the need for prayer and fasting.  One lady astutely observed the emphasis on those to the exclusion of practical action.  I was wondering if someone was going to mention the withholding of donations to the chancery, but none did.  Many people got up and it was not my parish so I didn't think it appropriate to float that suggestion.  I might do so at the next session that I attend.

Yippieee! We're Having A "Season Of Healing"!

In the wake of the Labor Day event at Little Flower this past Monday, Cardinal Wuerl announced that he was instituting a brand new band-aid for the gaping wound that both he and ex-Cardinal McCarrick caused and allowed to fester in this archdiocese.  It is worth noting that after the meeting on Monday, he didn't stick around for the picnic; he scooted away quite quickly.  Here is the letter, dated today, that announces this "season of healing".

Notice the focus of this letter; it's the same as was the focus of our parish "listening session" (the one that focused on feelings as opposed to opinions).  It's strictly on the victims.  Certainly it is important to minister to their needs, but that cannot be the sole focus so much that other facets of the mess are pushed from our minds.  I frankly suspect that we are hearing all about the victims precisely because the chancery doesn't want us to raise other questions or worse (for them), to propose solutions uncomfortable for them.

I am hearing from various sources that a goodly percentage of archdiocesan priests have called for Cardinal Wuerl to resign, owing to his sheltering of McCarrick during his time as Archbishop of Washington.  From the letter I get the impression that he has no intention whatsoever of resigning.  This is one instance where I hope to be proven incorrect.

Anyone in the healing professions will tell you that in order for proper healing to occur, there must be removal of the harmful agent that is causing the distress.  In the Church's present situation, that means that the removal of errant clergy - both the actual perpetrators and their enablers - must be removed.  They must be removed from their positions of power and they must be laicized.  I can think of three positive effects of such a move.

1. Their removal will help prevent further abuse from happening.  Some of the situations of which we are learning are rather recent - within the past five or ten years.
2. Their removal will assure the victims that there still remains in the Church a sense of justice.  That will have healing effects that will far exceed that of any "listening sessions" or "accompaniment".
3. The removal will have salutatory effects for the perpetrators themselves.  They will see that their crimes will not go unpunished in this life; perhaps that will cause them to repent and make good confessions before they die and go to their judgments.

As I said, this bogus focus in the victims is a trick to keep us from deliberating about how real healing and justice will happen.  It is designed from contemplating actions of our own since this archdiocesan chancery clearly isn't going to remove the perpetrators and the homosexualist elements from its midst.  Here are some humble suggestions from me.

• Obviously prayer and penance must be undertaken by each of us.  That certainly means the daily Rosary and remaining in a state of grace.
• Discuss this matter among your fellow Catholics.  Many are still quite oblivious to the current state of affairs.  Educate them.  That is one of the Spiritual Works of Mercy.
• If your priest strays from liturgical rubrics or preaches heresy, call them out on it.  Be respectful, but by no means be demure about it.
• If your diocese has a problem with pervert clergy and they still retain their positions, cut off all funding to your chanceries.  At the very least, that means boycotting any diocesan collections.  If your diocese assesses parish collections, explore ways to contribute to your parish in ways that don't benefit the chancery (assuming your parish is orthodox).  Don't be discouraged by talk of your boycotting hurting other charities; you can always contribute to the charities directly.

Let's get real.  This situation will most likely get worse before it gets better.  In fact, it is worse than it appears at present; we'll just have to face the ugly truth.  But sunlight is the best disinfectant.  We simply have to "man up" and "woman up" and deal with it.  The suggestions are, I hope, ways we can bring about real cleansing and healing.  Any other suggestions?

Wuerl's Appearance At Little Flower Today

Yesterday I suggested that concerned Catholics gather outside Little Flower Church this evening to pray a Rosary and to let the cardinal know that we won't let this matter of him harboring a criminal be forgotten.  I realize it was short notice, but unfortunately I was the only one there - well, not entirely.

At The Mass Ave entrance

I arrived at the Massachusetts Avenue entrance about 4:30, hoping to greet the cardinal with my bullhorn.  At the top of the driveway I saw a Montgomery County police cruiser (see photo).  This officer was looking into each and every car that pulled in.  One might have thought they were pulling into a military base containing secret weapons, the way that the cars were being scrutinized.

I too watched the cars for Cardinal Wuerl; later I found out that he had already scurried in.  I was praying the Rosary when a woman walked down from the parish grounds to chat with me.  Apparently she is a registered parishioner and tried to stop inside the Church to visit the Blessed Sacrament.  She was told she couldn't do so, as there was a "private function" occurring.  I don't recall whether or not she was aware of Wuerl's presence.  Regardless, does Canon Law permit the barring of Catholics from praying in their own Church?

At Chesterbrook

As we were talking, several men came over to us.  They had heard that George Neumayr was there and were trying to locate them.  They mentioned that they saw police at every entrance to the parish grounds.  They and the lady went off to find Neumayr.

At about 5:15 I headed to my car and drove to the other entrances.  Both were towards the back, away from Mass Ave.  I took pictures.  Here's one to the west of the church,   Yes, you are looking at three county cruisers.

The bottom picture is the last entrance to the east of the church, at Kirkwood and Jordan.  Two cruisers block that entrance.

At Kirkwood and Jordan

So there you have it - six cruisers in total!  I didn't know that Montgomery County was so crime-free that they could spare six or more officers to basically sit in the parking lot of Little Flower and twiddle their thumbs.  I certainly hope no real crimes (you know, things like rape and murder and theft, etc) happened with these cops just sitting there.

Of what was the chancery and/or parish afraid?  Were they afraid that Neumayr or I or someone else might have dared to (gasp!) ask the cardinal a question?  Neumayr asked one of them who called them there.  The officer said their lieutenant ordered them there.  That makes sense; those officers really had no say; they were dispatched to Little Flower so off they went.  The question is, who requested their presence, and why?  We Montgomery County citizens have a right to know for that was paid by our tax dollars.

So what happened inside that meeting?  Were the priests allowed to voice their concerns?  Or did they have the pope's sanctimonious demands for "silence" (see here and here) cast into their teeth?

Prayer And Protests - Cardinal Wuerl

A few days ago some of us wondered whether or not Cardinal Wuerl took flight.  Well, he is back in town and offered Mass at Annunciation Church this morning.   He tried a verbal tap dance around the mess.  He then asked the parishioners in attendance to remain loyal to Pope Francis as "increasingly it is clear that he is the object of considerable animosity".

One parishioner just wasn't having any of that.  He shouted "shame on you!" as he walked out of Mass.  Another parishioner in the choir loft stood up, turned her back and folded her arms as Wuerl continued his spiel.  Usually I'm not a fan of disburbances at Mass, but neither am I a fan of dissident clergy carrying on at Mass as though the congregation was their captive audience.  That itself is its own disburbance.

I don't think these clergy should feel comfortable as they prattle on like that.  They need to be made most decidedly uncomfortable if they continue to play faithful Catholics like patsies.  Tomorrow lends to us another opportunity to do just that.

I have become aware of a gathering of priests tomorrow, Monday Sept 3, 5pm, at the Church of the Little Flower on Massachusetts Avenue in Bethesda MD.  I am suggesting that Catholics congregate on the public sidewalk in front of the church along Massachutsetts Avenue to pray and offer reparation.  If any do bring signs that ask for his resignation, please use language befitting Catholics - no profanity, imprecation, etc.

Revisiting The 2010 Gonzaga Debacle

In his now-famous testimony, Archbishop Vigano stated that Pope Benedict XVI had forbidden then-Cardinal McCarrick from offering public Masses, and this prohibition occurred between 2009 and 2010.  I could be incorrect, but I think it safe to assume that if it was later, then it had to have happened in the early part of 2010, certainly before June.

Let's take a stroll down memory lane, shall we?  Long-time readers of this blog will recall that we picketed the 2010 commencement exercises of Gonzaga High because Sr Carol Keehan, who was so instrumental in foisting Obamacare on this country, was giving the commencement address.  Our account of it is here.  Please note that the video includes a very direct rebuke to then-Cardinal McCarrick, who presided at the Mass.

Now keep in mind that this Gonzaga even happened June 6, 2010.  Also consider from the first paragraph that he had been sanctioned by Benedict, probably before that commencement happened.  McCarrick was most likely offering that Mass in direct disobedience to Pope Benedict XVI.  Moreover, it is very likely he did so with Wuerl's full approval.  At the time, we had no way of knowing or even suspecting that.  We can assume the same ignorance of the Gonzaga administration and Sr Carol; I'm not sure they would have cared, but that's beside the point.

My account of the 2010 episode garnered many comments, some allegedly from parents.  We had some irate parents confront us, not caring that a dissident was addressing their sons.  We wonder now what they would say, knowing that a serial rapist of young men was in such close proximity to their sons.

Cardinal Wuerl - Fugitive From US Justice?

I'll let this video speak for itself, but will post some other thoughts below it.



Speaking of "fugitive", he may not be the only one.  Remember that "place of penance" that was posted yesterday?  According to George Neumayr, the journalist that discovered it, the palatial hovel now looks rather deserted.  In other words, is McCarrick joining Wuerl?



If all this is true, that means that we of the Archdiocese of Washington may soon be receiving a new prelate.  All this "cloak and dagger" does lead me to believe that the replacement might well not be along the lines of Cupich or Tobin or McElroy.  For all we know, exit strategies might be in the works for them, too.  If nothing else, that would clear a lot of stench out of the air of US Churches.

George Neumayr Barred From Entering Church Below Wuerl's Residence

This afternoon a group of faithful Catholics gathered on the sidewalk in front of Our Lady Queen of the Americas Church.  It's located on Embassy Row in Washington DC. They interceded for the resignation of Cardinal Wuerl and for a general cleansing of Holy Mother Church from all the sexual perversion and impurity that seems to have gripped a large number of our clergy, both priests and bishops.  Why was that church chosen?  Because Cardinal Wuerl resides in a penthouse atop the Church.

George Neumayr, Catholic investigative journalist and author of "The Political Pope", joined in that effort.  He then attempted to attend the 5pm Mass inside that church - and was prevented from entering by the pastor, Father Alejandro Diaz.  Neumayr recorded that encounter on his cell phone and posted it to Facebook.  As Neumayr recorded it, he was quite astute in enunciating the various issues at play - with one exception.  I'll point that out after you watch this encounter.

Notice that at the 0:56 mark, as Neumayr is talking, Diaz's lips are moving, as though he is muttering.  Why?  Is he praying?  To whom or what is he praying?  I cannot see how he's praying to God while acting in blatant disobedience to Church law and basic justice.  What is going on?  This is utterly bizarre, if not downright ominous.

There are those who might be frightened by occurrences such as this.  While these do show the depths to which the evil gnomes in the clergy will sink, it also displays how frightened they are at the prospects that their gig is up.  Please continue to pray your Rosaries and speak out.  We can speak out against this miscarriage of justice by calling and/or emailing Diaz and letting him know that we are watching.  Here is the contact info (note: you may have to translate it into English).

What They REALLY Mean By Clericalism!

A few days ago, Pope Francis released an open letter regarding the sex abuse scandal perpetrated most infamously by Bishop McCarrick and all too many others.  LifeSiteNews carries the full English text of that letter as well as an excellent analysis.

The pope states, without hesitation, that the culprit behind this squalid mess is...CLERICALISM!  That's right!  Nowhere in his tome is there one mention of the mortal sins of sodomy and other homosexual perversions.  To be clear, girls were victimized too, but the great bulk of the attacks - at least 75% - were carried out against post-pubescent males.  By definition, the attacks were homosexual in nature.  Also notice that while we see the words "clerics" and "priests" mentioned, there is not one instance of the word "bishop" being uttered.

I call notice to this "gem" uttered by the pope: I invite the entire holy faithful People of God to a penitential exercise of prayer and fasting, following the Lord’s command. This can awaken our conscience and arouse our solidarity and commitment to a culture of care that says “never again” to every form of abuse.

If he were directing this statement solely to the bishops and others who engaged in these crimes and/or covered them up, I'd applaud it.  But he isn't and that is one thing that demonstrates why this open letter is just another part of the "damage control".  Quite a goodly portion of the laity are aware at this time and more are opening their eyes with each passing day.  I daresay the chanceries are feeling the effects of our awareness as they see their collection revenues shrinking.  Is this an attempt to shame us into resumption of our donations - so that more lavish lifestyles and/or payouts can be financed?  The ones who need the "awakening of consciences" are those who pretend that "clericalism" is the root cause and not gay perversion.

As an aside, over twenty years ago I left a charismatic cult.  After I left, I did copious amounts of reading on cults and thought reform so that I could understand the dynamics of what happened to me as a young adult.  I learned that there are many varieties of thought-reform, and not all of them occur in the settings of a cult.  One tactic of thought-reform is known as "blaming the victim".  Basically it is used when the "leaders" of the cult abuse the rank-and-file members, and then direct them to blame the resultant pain on their own weakness, sinfulness, etc.  This screed issued by the pope reeks of that tactic.

If the pope tried delicately to shut us up, not all bishops shared his desire for tact.  Cardinal Sergio Obeso Rivera, a retired Mexican Archbishop, said some victims "who accuse men of the Church should be careful because they have long tails that are easily stepped on".  One can only hope that this is merely an attempt to embarrass the victims.  The only other possibility is that he issued a thinly-veiled threat of blackmail to the victims.  As you read that article, please note that he was created a cardinal just recently.  That means this current pope is responsible for his red hat.  One consolation is that he is over the age of 80 so he cannot participate in the next papal conclave.

Over at the Not-At-All Catholic Reporter, we see Michael Sean Winters waxing apoplectic at the "anti-gay agenda".  Of course he's always shilled for sodomy and now he's pitching a hissy-fit at the "diabolical craziness of Church Militant and others" because what we've warned about is now coming to light.  And yes, we do want gay priests out of the priesthood.   The Church, in her wisdom, has always excluded homosexuals from the priesthood, knowing that those so afflicted would be unsuited for the role of "alter Christus".  Over 75% of these assault cases are homosexual in nature, despite the denials that Winters, the pope, etc try to use.

In their rantings against "clericalism". I think the pope et al are drafting a new definition of the word (getting back to thought-reform, that is a tactic known as "loading the language").  Might that definition be "ascribing responsibility of clerical and ecclesial sins to the faithful lay Catholics in the pews"?

IMPORTANT UPDATE - The state of Illinois is following Pennsylvania's lead and launching its own investigation into the Archdiocese of Chicago.  I believe it was Chicago's Cardinal Cupich that concocted the "clericalism" schtick.  The state of Missouri will also be investigating dioceses in that state.  We might well have a RICO investigation upon us.  The bishops might be kissing those federal funds (that is, our tax dollars) goodbye - or, as Cardinal Joseph Tobin might say, "nighty-night, baby bucks!"

Washington Archdiocese In Full Panic Meltdown

In an earlier post, I observed that the local Catholic prelates were in "damage control mode".  Well, now the "damage control" has morphed into "full panic meltdown".  Earlier this week, the ADW launched a site called "The Wuerl Record".  From what I understand, it was an attempt by the Cardinal to say that "golly gee-wizz, I'm not such a bad guy after all, yada-yada-yada."  It sounds like it was an exercise at pure self-aggrandizement.  I never got to see it for it didn't take too much time for the site to be laughed off the internet.  Ed McFadden, Communications Director for the ADW, took responsibility for the fiasco; when he took it down, he announced "in hindsight, it was a mistake".  One wonders if McFadden really is to blame for the bomb, or if he's just "taking it on the chin for the team".  He is correct that it was a mistake.

That was how the Archdiocese of Washington tried to handle its public image.  However, the Archdiocese sees the aggrieved Catholics who are angry at the Cardinal for allowing them an/or loved ones to be victimized.  So what does a Prince of the Church do in that circumstance?  Why, he seeks legal refuge!  Will that work before God's Judgment Throne?

The skeptical reader might ask why I make such a big deal of these developments?  Let me begin to answer by asking my own questions: How is all this being financed?  Who is footing the bill?  Hint: if you live in the Archdiocese of Washington, you can answer these questions by staring into your mirror.  Consider that the next time you hear or see any whining and sniveling from your pastors about the "harm done" by denying the chancery your donation dollars.

By the way - in yesterday's Washington Post is an editorial entitled "Cardinal Wuerl Must Go".  It is a rare occasion when I agree with the Post, but this is one of them.

Two Important Developments

The long-awaited PA Grand Jury Report has been released.  The pdf is here.  Please download it to your machines, in case there are attempts to take it offline.  Please note that the section on the Diocese of Pittsburgh, with then-Bishop Donald Wuerl at the helm, starts on page 210 of the file.  I just now had opportunity to download it and will study it later.  Others who have already read it state that the record of Cardinal Wuerl's cover-up crimes is incontrovertible, and lends weight to calls for his resignation.  Perhaps prosecution is in order.  Aiding and abetting is its own crime, and as far as Catholic morality goes, Wuerl most certainly did cooperate with many mortal sins.

When news of this whole mess broke, I immediately started to think of protests at the bishops' November meeting in Baltimore.  Apparently I was not alone.  Six well-known pro-life/Catholic organizations have formed a coalition for the purpose of organizing a presence at the USCCB's semi-annual gabfest.  Their website is thebishopsknew.com.   Please consider supporting this effort with your presence (details are still to be determined).

Also, please consider the cessation of donations to dioceses that are:

• named in this report
• headed by prelates named in this report who have aided and abetted these predators
• the present homes to any of these predator clergy
• led by prelates who are trying to affect a dismissive attitude towards this mess

We will let the corrupt clergy (and other cowardly clergy) get away with any more cover-up.  The silence stops now.