LAY PANEL NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE BISHOPS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MCCARICK SCANDAL: TWO BISHOPS BOLDLY SPEAK OUT

The Most Rev. Edward B. Scharfenberger was named by Pope Francis as the tenth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, succeeding the Most Rev. Howard J. Hubbard. He was ordained to the episcopacy on April 10, 2014, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York. 

For his Episcopal Motto, Bishop Scharfenberger chose a line from the Prayer of St. Francis: “Lord, make me a channel of your peace.” 

In recent days, Bishop Scharfenberger has emerged from relatively obscurity into the bright light of public attention as he has forcefully challenged the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to conduct an internal investigation into the handling of allegations of abuse and sexual misconduct against Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick,  

The Bishop has stated that such an inquiry be spearheaded by laypeople.

“I think we have reached a point where Bishops alone investigating Bishops is not the answer. To have credibility, a panel would have to be separated from any source of power whose trustworthiness might potentially be compromised,” Bishop Scharfenberger  stated.

In his August 6th statement, the Bishop said he was “heartened by my brother Bishops proposing ways for our church to take action in light of recent revelations” and he agreed a national panel should be commissioned, duly approved by the Holy See insisting, however, that laypeople had a crucial role to play in this critical investigation.

Bishop Scharfenberger said what is currently needed is “an independent commission led by well-respected, faithful lay leaders who are beyond reproach, people whose role on such a panel will not serve to benefit them financially, politically or personally. These will be people with a deep understanding of the Catholic faith, but without an axe to grind or an agenda to push. It will not be easy, but it will be worth every ounce of effort, energy and candor we can muster.”

Bishop Scharfenberger was joined in his sentiments by Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger of Tucson, who similarly called for further action, saying in an August 1st statement that it is important for the USCCB to review the’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” to address Clergy abuse.

"The Charter needs to ensure that procedures and practices are in place to hold Clergy, employees, volunteers and Bishops to the same level of accountability," he said.

More recognizable members of the USCCB, Cardinals Cupich and Wuerl, have called upon the Conference to establish an internal process by which Bishops will investigate claims of abuse or cover up by other Bishops.

As one pundit put it, "This is the proverbial case of having the fox guard the chickens."

Bishops Scharfenberger and Weisenburger on are the right track and will hopefully maintain their zeal to insure that Bishops are held accountable to the same process of investigate and sanction that they eagerly laid upon the backs of Priests, Deacons as well as Church employees and volunteers by way of the Dallas Charter.

Not to have included themselves in the process put forth by the Charter was appalling, the height of arrogance.

That hubris has come full circle to bite them on their Episcopal backsides.  And rightly so.

For its part, the Vatican has yet to engage the subject in any meaningful way.  

And faithful Catholics and Clergy are left to wonder why such silence!

The People of God are waiting and watching.  

The credibility and moral authority of the Church itself hangs in the balance.