What do you think about the resignation of Archbishop John Nienstedt?
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"The archbishop of St. Paul and a deputy bishop resigned Monday after prosecutors there charged the archdiocese with having failed to protect children from unspeakable harm from a pedophile priest," reports MPR News.
The story continues:
"The Vatican said Pope Francis accepted the resignations of Archbishop John Nienstedt and Auxiliary Bishop Lee Anthony Piche. They resigned under the code of canon law that allows bishops to resign before they retire because of illness or some other "grave" reason that makes them unfit for office."
In a letter posted Monday morning on the archdiocese website, Nienstedt wrote:
"In order to give the Archdiocese a new beginning amidst the many challenges we face, I have submitted my resignation as Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and I have just received word that he has accepted it. The Catholic Church is not our Church, but Christ's Church, and we are merely stewards for a time. My leadership has unfortunately drawn attention away from the good works of His Church and those who perform them. Thus, my decision to step down. ...
"I leave with a clear conscience knowing that my team and I have put in place solid protocols to ensure the protection of minors and vulnerable adults. I ask for continued prayers for the well-being of this Archdiocese and its future leaders. I also ask for your continued prayers for me."
The shakeup in Minnesota also brought the departure of the diocese's auxilary bishop, Lee Piche. In a letter on the website, Piche wrote:
"The people of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis need healing and hope. I was getting in the way of that, and so I had to resign.
"I submitted my resignation willingly, after consultation with others in and outside the Archdiocese."
Today's Question: What do you think about the resignation of Archbishop John Nienstedt?
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