While he has defended his record, arguing that he removed priests accused of sexual abuse of minors from ministry in Pittsburgh, the cardinal has previously acknowledged that in other cases, he came up short.

Pope Francis will meet with three U.S. archbishops on Thursday, Sept. 13, as the church continues to grapple with fallout from sexual abuse scandals.

The board wants to close a loophole in church policy that critics say fails to hold bishops accountable when it comes to sexual abuse allegations.

From 2008 to 2013, the former cardinal kept up a public profile that included preaching at high-profile Masses, giving talks and accepting awards.

Archbishop Viganò’s explosive letter raises questions about what Pope Francis knew when, but also about Benedict’s sanctions of McCarrick.

The Diocese of Buffalo faces criticism that it has mishandled allegations of sexual misconduct by priests and as it weathers calls for an independent investigation into its practices.

“People don’t want finessed press releases. They want to name their betrayal out loud, in public, in sacred space.”

“Those who have suffered are his priority, and the Church wants to listen to them to root out this tragic horror.”

The state’s attorney general said that his office’s two-year investigation identified 301 priests who abused children and more than 1,000 victims.

It appears “there was somebody [who] dropped the ball.”