Cardinal Wuerl resignation: Full
text of Pope Francis’ letter
Please find the full text of Pope Francis’ letter to
Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, in an unofficial translation made available on the
website of the Archdiocese of Washington.
To our Venerable Brother Cardinal Donald William Wuerl,
Archbishop of Washington:
On September 21st I received your request that I accept your
resignation from the pastoral government of the Archdiocese of Washington.
I am aware that this request rests on two pillars that have
marked and continue to mark your ministry: to seek in all things the greater
glory of God and to procure the good of the people entrusted to your care. The
shepherd knows that the wellbeing and the unity of the People of God are
precious gifts that the Lord has implored and for which he gave his life. He
paid a very high price for this unity and our mission is to take care that the
people not only remain united, but become witnesses of the Gospel “That they
may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be
in us, that the world may believe that you sent me” (John17:21). This is the
horizon from which we are continually invited to discern all our actions.
I recognize in your request the heart of the shepherd who,
by widening his vision to recognize a greater good that can benefit the whole
body (cf. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium, 235), prioritizes actions
that support, stimulate and make the unity and mission of the Church grow above
every kind of sterile division sown by the father of lies who, trying to hurt
the shepherd, wants nothing more than that the sheep be dispersed (cf.
Matthew26:31).
You have sufficient elements to “justify” your actions and
distinguish between what it means to cover up crimes or not to deal with
problems, and to commit some mistakes. However, your nobility has led you not
to choose this way of defense. Of this, I am proud and thank you.
In this way, you make clear the intent to put God’s Project
first, before any kind of personal project, including what could be considered
as good for the Church. Your renunciation is a sign of your availability and
docility to the Spirit who continues to act in his Church.
In accepting your resignation, I ask you to remain as
Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese until the appointment of your
successor.
Dear brother, I make my own the words of Sirach: “You who
fear the Lord, trust in him, and your reward will not be lost” (2:8). May the
Virgin Mary protect you with her mantle and may the strength of the Holy Spirit
give you the grace to know how to continue to serve him in this new time that
the Lord gives you.
Vatican City, October 12, 2018
(signed by Pope Francis)
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