By Tim Harfmann
New allegations are now being made against Theodore McCarrick, a former cardinal laicized over sexual misconduct and abuse charges.
He was once one of the most powerful Catholic leaders in the United States.
A 10-page report obtained exclusively by Crux showed that the Vatican imposed restrictions in 2008, ordering McCarrick not to travel.
An ex-aide to McCarrick is responsible for releasing the documents.
McCarrick claimed that Cardinal Donald Wuerl was aware of the restrictions and was involved in conversations about their implications. A spokesperson for Cardinal Wuerl denied the assertion.
Cardinal Wuerl recently resigned after controversy surrounding his handling of abuse cases when he was bishop of Pittsburgh.
In a new interview on May 28, Pope Francis claimed he had no knowledge of the sanctions, which were imposed over a decade ago during Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy.
The Vatican’s former U.S. ambassador, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, released an 11-page letter last August, claiming that Pope Francis was aware of the McCarrick allegations.
“Read the document carefully and judge it for yourselves,” was the pontiff’s response, “I will not say one word on this.”
McCarrick denied any sexual relations, but does acknowledge sharing his bed with seminarians in their twenties and thirties.
Last October, Pope Francis ordered a “thorough study” of the McCarrick case. To date, no results have been public.