Pope accepts Washington cardinal Donald Wuerl’s resignation

Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Washington, D.C., cardinal Donald Wuerl after he became entangled in two major scandals involving cover-up of sexual abuse and lost the support of many in his flock.

But in a letter released by Wuerl’s office, Francis praised his longtime ally and suggested Wuerl had unfairly become a scapegoat, having made some “mistakes” in handling sexual abuse cases, but not having covered them up.

Wuerl is one of the most prominent leaders affected in the scandal roiling the Catholic Church. His predecessor as Washington archbishop, Theodore Mc­Carrick, was recently forced to resign as cardinal over accounts that he sexually abused at least two minors.