What is Vos estis?
Vos estis is a motu proprio promulgated by Pope Francis on May 9th 2019. JD Flynn provides a good summary of its objectives and contents:
Vos estis sets out a clear procedure for investigating bishops accused of either implicitly or explicitly coercing someone to engage in sexual activity, abusing vulnerable persons, or possessing child pornography. Notably, the document also applies to bishops accused of interfering with or avoiding criminal and canonical investigations of sexual abuse or coercion. And it clarifies that compliance with civil law is a normative expectation for bishops, and that failing to do so could lead to censure.1
Vos estis investigations are limited in scope to allegations of abuse by a bishop or a bishop covering up abuse inflicted by others. Prior to the promulgation of Vos estis, processes were in place for investigating and disciplining abusive priests. However, there was no specific process for addressing such allegations against bishops. Vos estis fills that gap.
Vos estis investigations that we are aware of
Pillar Catholic published a list of bishops under investigation in the US since 20182
In addition, Catholic News Agency published a timeline of the two years since the McCarrick allegations became known3
| Bishop | Diocese | Charge | Process Began | Status | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hart | Cheyenne | Abuse of minors and adults | 2019 | Cleared of abuse allegations in January 2021, but rebuked. Barred from public ministry and contact with minors. | Diocese of Kansas City-St.Joseph |
| DiMarzio | Brooklyn | Abuse of two minors | 2019 | Cleared in September 2021 | Archdiocese of New York |
| Brungardt | Dodge City | Abuse of a minor | 2021 | Cleared March 2022 | Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS |
| Cantu | San Jose | Cover up | 2020 | Ongoing |
Catholic News Agency |
| Hoeppner | Crookston | Cover up | 2019 | Resigned in April 2021. Barred from public ministry in diocese and retirement benefits reduced in March 2022. | Pillar Catholic |
| Hubbard | Albany | Abuse of minors | 2021 | Investigation not concluded. Bp. Hubbard died in August of 2023. | Catholic News Agency |
| Grosz | Buffalo, New York | Abuse of a minor | 2021 | Ongoing | Buffalo News |
| Guglielmone | Charleston | Abuse of a minor | 2019 | Cleared in December 2020 | Catholic News Agency |
| Binzer | Cincinnati | Cover up | 2019 | Resigned in May 2020 | Catholic News Agency |
| Monforton | Steubenville | Cover up | 2022 | Ongoing | The Pillar |
Non-Vos estis cases that are similar
| Bishop | Diocese | Charge | Process Began | Status | Why wasn't this Vos estis? | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bransfield | Wheeling-Charleston | Abuse of minors and adults | 2018 | Banned from public ministry 2019 | Pre-dated Vos estis | Catholic News Agency |
| Malone | Buffalo | Cover up | 2019 | Resigned upon Pope's request 2019 | Unknown | Catholic News Agency |