Tony Gentile/Reuters
Pope Francis has authorized a study of the Vatican’s handling of abuse allegations against former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and promised to release the findings of an earlier preliminary investigation. In a statement issued Saturday, the Vatican said the pontiff had decided to break his silence on the matter because he has become “concerned by the confusion that these accusations are causing in the conscience of the faithful.” In calling for further investigation into how McCarrick managed to climb Church ranks despite the allegations against him, the Vatican said it is aware that evidence may surface showing that “that choices were taken that would not be consonant with a contemporary approach to such issues.” The Vatican vowed to “follow the path of truth wherever it may lead.” McCarrick resigned in July after the allegations against him went public, but the Vatican has come under scrutiny in recent weeks amid claims the Church knew about the alleged abuse long before McCarrick’s departure.