DC archbishop to discuss possible resignation with pope: report

The archbishop of Washington is expected to meet in the near future with Pope Francis to discuss a possible resignation as he faces scrutiny for his handling of sexual abuse claims, CNN reported Tuesday.

Cardinal Donald Wuerl wrote to priests in the diocese that he met recently with the Pope in Vatican City to discuss future actions amid the latest allegations of sexual abuse against the Catholic Church.

A decision about his future “is an essential aspect so that this archdiocesan church we all love can move forward,” Wuerl said, according to CNN.

{mosads} He added that he will talk soon with Pope Francis about the resignation he presented roughly three years ago, CNN reported. That resignation was submitted when Wuerl turned 75, which is the mandatory age for bishops to offer to retire.

Wuerl has faced scrutiny and calls for his resignation after a Pennsylvania grand jury report alleged that more than 300 Catholic priests in the state committed more than 1,000 total instances of sexual abuse.

Wuerl has been accused of mishandling complaints while he was the bishop of Pittsburgh from 1988 to 2006.

He has claimed that he was unaware of the allegations against Theodore McCarrick, the former archbishop of Washington, D.C., who resigned last month after he was accused of abuse.

A protester confronted Wuerl during a church service earlier this month, shouting “Shame on you!” as the Cardinal spoke.