Abp. Viganò issues new statement, documents to clear his name in Abp Nienstedt investigation

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, whose extraordinary testimony implicating Pope Francis and several senior prelates in covering up Archbishop Theodore McCarrick’s alleged sexual abuse of seminarians and priests, today has issued a written statement, rejecting as “false” accusations that are now being used to discredit him.

Archbishop Viganò has also released supporting documents to prove his innocence.

The accusations date back to a 2016 New York Times report, alleging that, as U.S. Nuncio, Viganò “quashed” an independent investigation into sexual misconduct on the part of Archbishop John Nienstedt, who was found innocent by police authorities.

The report specifically alleges that, during an April 2014 meeting at the Nunciature in Washington D.C., Viganò ordered two auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to halt the investigation into Nienstedt. The report further alleges that Viganò “ordered church officials to destroy a letter they wrote to him protesting the decision.”

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Also: Archbishop Viganò responds to criticisms of handling of 2014 Nienstedt investigation