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How Will Cardinal Donald Wuerl's Resignation Affect His Pittsburgh Flock?

David Goldman
/
AP
Cardinal Donald Wuerl and Pope Francis

 

Pope Francis announced Friday that he has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Donald Wuerl from his post as Archbishop of the Diocese of Washington, D.C.

In a letter, the Pope thanked Wuerl for his service and praised him for his “nobility.” Victims of sexual assault have been calling for Wuerl’s resignation in the aftermath of a grand jury report that described the crimes of 300 "predator priests" in Pennsylvania, some of whom were under Wuerl's supervision. Three years ago, Wuerl submitted his formal resignation when he turned 75, which is customary. The Pope often uses his discrection on whether to accept the traditional resignation, and Wuerl encouraged him to accept that resignation when he traveled to Rome last month. 

90.5 WESA’s Virginia Alvino Young joined the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Peter Smith to explore what the resignation means for the Catholic Church. 

 Later in the program, Pennsylvania’s 44th Congressional District is comprised of neighborhoods north and west of Pittsburgh, including Moon Township and some prosperous Ohio Valley communities. For 15 years, Republican Mark Mustio led the district, and as 90.5 WESA’s Kathleen Davis reports, two first-time candidates are running to clinch his seat.

And Pittsburgh's Department of Mobility and Infrastructure is approaching its second birthday. So what has its team accomplished? Hear from director Karina Ricks as she explores what strategies are in the works to improve navigation for cars, buses, bicyclists and pedestrians. 

The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in weekdays at 9 a.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators join veteran journalist Kevin Gavin, taking an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more episodes of The Confluence here.

Kiley Koscinski covers city government, policy and how Pittsburghers engage with city services. She also works as a fill-in host for All Things Considered. Kiley has previously served as a producer on The Confluence and Morning Edition.
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