Pope Francis has authorized a “thorough study” of sexual abuse allegations against retired Washington, D.C., Cardinal Theodore McCarrick that is being called by some prominent members of the Church “the Satanic 9/11” and possibly the “final trial” before the return of Jesus.
The Vatican said Saturday it was aware that such an investigation may produce evidence “that choices were taken that would not be consonant with a contemporary approach to such issues.” But it said Francis would “follow the path of truth, wherever it may lead.”
In the latest of decades of similar sexual abuse allegations, McCarrick stands accused of beach-house romps with seminarians and young priests. While former Pope Benedict XVI had issued sanctions against McCarrick, they were rescinded by Pope Francis.
The statement did not address specific allegations that Francis himself knew of sexual misconduct allegations...