Posted on 05/10/2013 5:44:53 AM PDT by cll
The new pope's first crisis is not related to the Church's controversial position on contraceptives or proposals for female clergy. Rather, Pope Francis' first major quandary is getting rid of a Puerto Rican archbishop who, despite the Vatican's numerous requests, has repeatedly refused to step down.
The source of Pope Francis' current ordeal is Roberto Octavio González Nieves, the outspoken Archbishop of San Juan, who has been accused by Vatican emissaries of allegedly protecting pedophile priests, abusing his power, promoting Puerto Rican independence from the U.S., and supporting a law that could grant same-sex couples living together hereditary rights and health benefits, according to the Vatican Insider.
González Nieves was confronted by Cardinal Marc Ouellet, the current prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, and denied the allegations during a tense meeting in Puerto Rico on December 15, 2012. In the course of the discussion, the Vatican envoy subtly asked González Nieves to resign and to ask the Church for a new position elsewhere.
On several occasions the Vatican has asked Puerto Rican Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez Nieves to leave his post. But supporters of the archbishop have organized several meetings to pray for his continuity. This flyer announced a prayer meeting that took place in San Juan, on the 8th of May.
Nearly two months later, González Nieves sent Ouellet an angry missive that was recently leaked to the Puerto Rican press.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Then fire his ass
Problem solved?
I kind of agree with the Cardinals stand on Puerto Rican independence although I have a hard time understanding what that has to do with this controversy.
Interesting. A detatchment of Swiss Guards? How are they gonna dispatch this tick?
Perhaps he should consider resigning, regardless of whether he's guilty or innocent, to avoid becoming a stumbling block to others.
Amen Brother.
It’s time for the Pope to put on his Donald Trump disguise and say “You’re Fired”.
The Priests of Puerto Rico will have to make up their minds if they support a pedophile or the Pope.
That is a conundrum: How to politely fire a person who will not leave. Too bad the Catholic church does not have enforcers any longer.
The problem with the article is that it is very short on facts. The letter, which is referenced, doesn’t appear in the link.
Secondly, we don’t know what Cardinal Ouillet actually said in his meeting.
If the Archbishop is defying a specific order, then, what typically happens, is he would be called to Rome. From there, he would take a “Time Out” in an Italian monastery.
Should he not straighten himself out, then excommunication hearings could begin. See Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo.
Amen to the Pope for dealing with child molestor issue.
Keep it coming.
“Too bad the Catholic church does not have enforcers any longer.”
I bet Barry is watching this so when his time is up, he will just refuse to go.
Because he is one of a very tiny minority on the island that wants independence. The rest of us - over 90% of the citizens - want to remain part of the U.S. either through the current arrangement or through statehood. In fact, statehood won the last referendum on the issue last November. Another fact that escapes most people that do not live in Puerto Rico is the fact that most independence supporters, including the Archbishop - are hard core socialists and that’s why they are almost universally rejected here.
No future Popeship for you Gonzalez.
Francis is being nice about it first.
He can take away this goofball’s rights to act as a priest.
It’s called forced laicization, more casually referred to as “defrocking”.
Go, Francis! I like seeing RIGHT done on the planet on occasion.
I agree!
Francis seems to be fearless and true.
The Pope has no authority to fire another bishop. He is a much an apostolic successor as is the Holy Father.
Nope. Can’t happen. The Pope can excommunicate him if he’s teaching outside the scope of the Magesterium but he can’t defrock a bishop any more than St Peter could’ve kicked St Andrew out of the group of Apostles.
Exactly. Fire his ass, throw him out in the street and have him arrested if he remains on Catholic property. He is a common criminal.
Why not?
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