WASHINGTON D.C.
NBC News

October 13, 2018

By Linda Givetash and Phil McCausland

“He is now able to retire seemingly with no consequences for his actions,” said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

The Vatican is facing mounting criticism for not taking a more heavy-handed approach to sexual abuse allegations after accepting the resignation of Cardinal Donald Wuerl but allowing him to remain influential in the church.

Pope Francis issued a letter Friday saying he would accept the resignation of the archbishop of Washington, D.C.,in response to accusations that he did nothing to stop abuse by senior clerics in Pennsylvania where he served as a bishop from 1988 to 2006.

While some church leaders and parishioners have called for Wuerl’s resignation in recent weeks, critics point to the fact that Francis asked Wuerl to remain the apostolic administrator of the archdiocese. He will also attend the annual American bishops meeting…