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Archbishop Christophe Pierre, papal nuncio to the United States of AmericaShalomWorldTV / Youtube screen grab

BALTIMORE, Md., November 12, 2018, (LifeSiteNews) – The Vatican Ambassador to the United States highlighted the problem of “clericalism” while failing to mention homosexuality during comments about the sex abuse crisis at the currently running general assembly of US bishops taking place in Baltimore. 

Archbishop Christophe Pierre’s comments came on the heels of USCCB President Cardinal Daniel DiNardo’ surprise announcement that the Vatican had scuttled the bishops’ plans to adopt national standards for episcopal accountability aimed at creating an efficient and reliable means of dealing with priests and prelates who engage in sexual misconduct. 

While issuing a heartfelt plea for reform in order to “rebuild trust with the people of God,” Pierre assiduously avoided using the term homosexuality and instead concluded his remarks by zeroing in on “clericalism” as the pressing issue facing the Catholic Church.   

The Archbishop’s remarks, in conjunction with the Vatican’s derailing of the U.S. bishops' plan to get a grip on clergy sexual abuse comes as a blow to the bishops' ability to deal with the crisis.

By the end of the morning session, the term ‘homosexuality’ had not been uttered once, leaving the crisis undefined, amorphous, and perhaps, unsolvable.

“The problems faced by the Church today are compounded by a clericalism which can affect both clergy and laity and which erodes communion,” said Pierre.  

“Our Holy Father has spoken of the ills of clericalism from the first days of his pontificate,” he continued. “It is an illness, and it must be treated as such.”

But the illness of homosexuality plaguing the priesthood was left undiagnosed. 

Reactions came swiftly on social media:

“I am hoping the US bishops are fed up with Vatican interference in their work,” said Janet E. Smith, noted Catholic author and professor of moral theology at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan.  “And I hope they remember that they are the stewards of their own diocese and don't need permission of the USCCB or the Vatican to do what they are supposed to do — provide a moral and faithful priesthood to their flock.”

“CLERICALISM: Papal Nuncio Christophe Pierre says the problems of today are compounded by clericalism,” tweeted EWTN’s Jason Calvi. “‘It's for the people of God that we and our priests have been ordained.’”

“True: the Rainbow Flag is also known worldwide as the ‘Clericalism Pride Flag,’” responded Rorate Caeli.

 “I can't imagine a more incompetent response at this particular moment,” said Jim Russell who writes for Catholic World Report on marriage, family, and sexuality.  “It's as though various levels of authority are simply scrambling to shift blame and control the narrative. No clericalism here, folks.”

“And it's not #Clericalism but #Homoclericalism,” said Julie Krezmien.  “As long as ‘not married,’ sodomy acceptable. That is what they & the Vatican pundits are trying to protect; homosexuality acts. Until this reality is discussed publicly? No moral authority left.”

“Just listening to ‘Papal nuncio’ before taking off to work. IT is sickening his words of complete denial of the evil past, & worst PRESENT, began Terri Medina in a pair of tweets.  “The world is against us” & just keep going forward…is my short summary of what I am hearing.Even if they think we R deaf, blind & dumb.”

She added, “listening to Papal Nuncio to USA still don’t WANT to get it! Do they think we are deaf, blind & dumb? Hearing him makes me  sick. You got to listen by yourselves. ‘The world against us’ in denial of the ‘massive massive’ crisis.

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