Pope Francis' First Crisis? Defiant Archbishop Refuses to Quit

ABC/Univision ^ | 5/0/2013 | Santiago Wills

[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.

[cll]

He should be the Archbishop of Havana, not San Juan.

[Teófilo]

Actually, the Archbishop of Havana is a sharp dude...

As I said on my post, there are grounds to disagree with Abp. González but to my knowledge, none are “impeachable offenses.” At least, not yet.

~Theo

[Verginius Rufus]

If Puerto Rico wants independence, fine. If they want to continue their current status as US citizens, fine.

Even if Puerto Rico became an independent country, Geraldo Rivera would remain a US citizen.

[Crashboat]

Oh what the heck! All the supporters of “the colony-ELA” are nothing more than “closet” supporters of Independence, they are just afraid to admit it because of the past & present oppression supporters have experienced over the last 114 yrs by the Fed & insular governments. What's important is that a great majority of Americans here in the continental United States oppose a Spanish speaking state, so you can forget about it. We will not allow you to become part of us, but we will continue to make money off of you. You don't march into our home uninvited and your not invited! So, the fact that the Cardinal (of PR) in question supports independence for his country is irrelevant. Unbelievable!

[Revolting cat!]

The Church seems to have its own Eric Holder!