The bishops of the Dominican Republic have voiced support for the
investigation launched into accusations of sexual misconduct against the
former nuncio to the country, Archbishop Józef Wesolowski.
The bishops called for a “purification of the Church and for the removal
of those who unworthily exercise this ministry and do not deserve to be
called priests,” in a letter signed by Cardinal Nicolás López Rodríguez
of Santo Domingo and president of the Dominican bishops' conference.
This purification should take place with “the collaboration of authentic
priests, who are the majority, and of the church community.”
Archbishop Wesolowski resigned from his post Aug. 21 in the wake of
accusations of sexual misconduct that were reported in the media.
Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi said Sept. 4 that Archbishop
Wesolowski had been “relieved of his duties and the Holy See has
launched an investigation.”
Francisco Dominguez, attorney general of the Dominican Republic, has said that his office will also conduct an investigation.
“In recent weeks, the public has been shocked repeatedly by embarrassing
behavior in different areas of the country by clergy members of the
Catholic Church, who we expect and who ought to behave differently,”
said Cardinal López.
The Church in the Dominican Republic was recently rocked by accusations
of sexual abuse against Father Juan Manuel Mota de Jesus.
Without directly mentioning any specific case, the cardinal prayed,
“Jesus, forgive them, because they do know what they are doing and they
are hurting the heart of the Church and the faith of many people.”
The “root problem” of clergy abuse, Cardinal López said, is “an
undetermined number” of candidates preparing for the priesthood who “do
not have an authentic vocation” and who “during formation are able to
feign something that they are not, and if formation directors are not
careful, they sneak into the clergy, and later the bishops pay the
consequences for their excesses and turmoil.”
As president of the Dominican bishops, he asked “forgiveness of the
victims of the heartless men who have abused them and their families” as
well as forgiveness “of the community of the Catholic Church, which is
humiliated by this unspeakable abuse, and also of the entire Dominican
nation which is witnessing this unfortunate spectacle.”
The cardinal pleaded with Dominican officials to “act with conviction
and clarity” in their investigations and to impose the punishments
established by law.
“May those who have done wrong assume responsibly the consequences of their actions.”