Catholic Whistleblower: Pastors Must ‘Oppose Worldly Powers’ and ‘Resist’ Evil Opponents to Save the Church
Shane Trejo
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Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò released a statement on Sunday, warning pastors of their duty to stand strong during these scandal-plagued times within the Catholic Church.
Viganò wrote a “fraternal correction” for the liturgical memorial of St. Bruno, who was the founder of the Carthusian Order. Viganò issued the correction to commence the Amazonian Synod, which takes place at the Vatican from Oct. 6-27.
In his statement, Viganò did not mince words. He implored Church pastors not to “hide in silence,” but rather to condemn the “wolves” and “worldly powers” who are working to destroy Catholicism. He pointed to Pope Francis as a man who should “especially” take the message to heart.
Viganò’s address was translated from Latin into English by LifeSiteNews. The full text of his remarks can be seen here:
Fraternal Correction
Today, October 6, the XXVII Sunday after Pentecost and the memorial of St. Bruno, the Office of Readings offers pastors for their meditation the following passage from the “Pastoral Rule” of St. Gregory the Great, Pope, (Book 2, 4 PL77, 331):
“The pastor should be discreet in keeping silence and profitable in his speech, lest he either utter what ought to be suppressed or suppress what he ought to utter. For just as reckless speaking leads someone into error, so indiscreet silence leaves in error those who might have been instructed.
For often reckless pastors, fearing to lose human favor, shrink timidly from speaking freely the things that are right; and, according to the voice of Christ who is the Truth (John 10:12), fail to attend to the care of their flock with the love of shepherds, and act instead as mercenaries. For when the wolf comes, they flee and hide themselves in silence. Thus, the Lord through the prophet upbraids them, saying: ‘Dumb dogs, that cannot bark’ (Isaiah 56:10). And, again He complains, saying: ‘You have not gone up against the enemy nor have you built a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the Lord’ (Ezekiel 13:5). Indeed, to ‘go up against the enemy’ is to oppose worldly powers with a free voice in the defense of the flock. And to ‘stand in battle on the day of the Lord’ is to resist, out of the love of justice, evil persons who oppose us.
For if a shepherd fears to say what is right, what else is it but to turn his back in silence? But certainly, if he puts himself before the flock [so as to protect them], he ‘builds a wall for the house of Israel’ against its enemies… Whoever undertakes the priesthood assumes the office of a herald, so that wherever he goes he proclaims the coming of the dread Judge. Therefore, if the priest does not know how to preach, with what voice will such a mute herald proclaim? It is for this reason that the Holy Spirit sat upon the first shepherds in the form of tongues (Acts 2:3), because whomever he has filled, he gives the power of eloquent speaking.”
Every priest must examine himself assiduously so as to conform his conduct to the supernatural light of this “Pastoral Rule” of St. Gregory the Great, including the cardinals and bishops, and especially Pope Bergoglio, S.J.!
+ Carlo Maria Viganò
Viganò has certainly lived up to his words and set the example for bravery within the Catholic Church. He blew the whistle last year after Pope Francis shamefully rehabilitated the career of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, a pedophile predator who Francis allowed to represent the Church despite widespread knowledge of his depraved acts.
McCarrick was defrocked in February after he was found guilty by Church officials of “sins against the Sixth Commandment with minors and with adults, with the aggravating factor of the abuse of power.” The Church had known of the allegations since 2000, before McCarrick was made a Cardinal.
Viganò revealed in 2018 that Francis made McCarrick his “trusted counselor,” sending him across the world as an ambassador for the Church. This occurred after McCarrick was sanctioned by Pope Benedict XVI for sexual abuse.
“Pope Francis must be the first to set a good example for cardinals and bishops who covered up McCarrick’s abuses and resign along with all of them,” Viganò said.
However, Pope Francis remains unwilling to resign in spite of his many scandals. Viganò has his work cut out for him fighting back against institutional corruption that plagues the Catholic Church at its highest levels.
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