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Finding Vigano: The Man Behind the Testimony that Shook the Church and the World
In 2018, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano released an 11-page testimony that rocked the world. In it, he called out the corruption of the Church, especially with regards to its handling of the sexual abuse crisis—addressing most specifically the case of disgraced Cardinal Theodore McCarrick—and stunningly called for the resignation of Pope Francis. And then he was gone . . . at least physically. In these pages, longtime Vatican journalist Robert Moynihan, publisher of Inside the Vatican magazine, brings to bear his vast experience in the corridors of power in Rome as well as his longstanding friendship with Vigano to produce a book that both provides an incisive look at the content of the Testimony itself, but also, through interviews conducted in-person with Vigano at undisclosed locations, a personal look at the man whose conscience compelled him to speak out about the “filth” in which the Church he loves and to which he has given his life, has been mired for years. Part thriller, as when Moynihan details his efforts to reach Vigano and makes his way to their meeting, and part personal memoir as both men reflect on their lives, families, and the state of the Church in the world, Finding Vigano has something for everyone. Readers familiar with the Vigano saga will appreciate the insights into the man provided through the interviews, while those unfamiliar with the drama of the Testimony will, after reading, have a better understanding of the key issues and players involved.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 20, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 16, 2020
Dr. Moynihan has called his book FINDING Viganó and I have capitalized the first word in the title to emphasize that this is about locating a man in hiding. I wondered and was slightly troubled about the word ‘finding’ from the first time I heard it. Why not just Viganó? Because this is not the book which really takes you into the heart of this mysterious man, modern prophet, outspoken critic of the leaders of the Catholic Church who felt it was necessary to go into hiding after he gave his 11 page testimony about the McCarrick scandal back in August 2018.
Robert Moynihan was definitely the one to research and write the book* on this pivotal and polarizing person in Our LORD's Church today. Moynihan’s book gives an excellent introduction to Archbishop Carlos Maria Viganó, explains what led up to his decision to go public with his testimony, and goes through that testimony paragraph by paragraph. It concludes by letting us know a bit about what Viganó has been through since he went into hiding and promising another book which will delve in depth the topics introduced here.
The Archbishop is still very much practicing his faith and has no intention of ever giving that up despite his disillusionment with some of those currently in power. On the contrary, he is considering monastic life. This is also not a smear campaign against Catholic clergy, the pope or the Church itself, but the heartfelt testimony of a devoted son who has given his life in service and now in old age finds himself betrayed by Her.
The chapters alternate between background description and dialogue between Moynihan and Viganó.
It was a good book, especially if you admire both individuals as I do. There are only a few senior clergy today in the Catholic Church who are willing to speak out as Archbishop Viganó has done. Many have criticized him for it, said he went too far.
Having worked for the Catholic Church myself for four years, I know from personal experience how hard it is to hang on to your personal integrity and continue to work for the institutional church. I never imagined it to be so but then I suppose I was naïve. One of the happiest days of my life was when I quit my job, but then I was a lay person and could quit. What does a priest do? A bishop? An archbishop?
I love the Catholic Church and believe it was started by and is the Church of Jesus Christ. Jesus once told a parable comparing the Kingdom of Heaven to a man who sowed good seed in his field. ‘But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time, I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” (Matthew 13:24-30)
Yes, things are a confusing mess now, but they are not too confusing nor too messy for God to sort them out if we have faith, patience, humility, hope.
Pray for Archbishop Viganó and the rest. I confess I am a little disappointed with this book. I had hoped for more. But I eagerly await its sequel.
*Anyone familiar with Mr. Moynihan’s magazine, Inside the Vatican or his Moynihan Letters (which supplement the monthly magazine) knows that he tells things like they are, no sugar coating, but also no vindictiveness.
Robert Moynihan was definitely the one to research and write the book* on this pivotal and polarizing person in Our LORD's Church today. Moynihan’s book gives an excellent introduction to Archbishop Carlos Maria Viganó, explains what led up to his decision to go public with his testimony, and goes through that testimony paragraph by paragraph. It concludes by letting us know a bit about what Viganó has been through since he went into hiding and promising another book which will delve in depth the topics introduced here.
The Archbishop is still very much practicing his faith and has no intention of ever giving that up despite his disillusionment with some of those currently in power. On the contrary, he is considering monastic life. This is also not a smear campaign against Catholic clergy, the pope or the Church itself, but the heartfelt testimony of a devoted son who has given his life in service and now in old age finds himself betrayed by Her.
The chapters alternate between background description and dialogue between Moynihan and Viganó.
It was a good book, especially if you admire both individuals as I do. There are only a few senior clergy today in the Catholic Church who are willing to speak out as Archbishop Viganó has done. Many have criticized him for it, said he went too far.
Having worked for the Catholic Church myself for four years, I know from personal experience how hard it is to hang on to your personal integrity and continue to work for the institutional church. I never imagined it to be so but then I suppose I was naïve. One of the happiest days of my life was when I quit my job, but then I was a lay person and could quit. What does a priest do? A bishop? An archbishop?
I love the Catholic Church and believe it was started by and is the Church of Jesus Christ. Jesus once told a parable comparing the Kingdom of Heaven to a man who sowed good seed in his field. ‘But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time, I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” (Matthew 13:24-30)
Yes, things are a confusing mess now, but they are not too confusing nor too messy for God to sort them out if we have faith, patience, humility, hope.
Pray for Archbishop Viganó and the rest. I confess I am a little disappointed with this book. I had hoped for more. But I eagerly await its sequel.
*Anyone familiar with Mr. Moynihan’s magazine, Inside the Vatican or his Moynihan Letters (which supplement the monthly magazine) knows that he tells things like they are, no sugar coating, but also no vindictiveness.
February 13, 2021
I would much rather turn my head and not see evil, but there is a time when it becomes cowardly and wrong to simply refuse to see. Reading the book Finding Vigano is one of those moments when I realized that I must see. There can be no true healing or growth without first facing our wounds. The Catholic Church, among many of God's people, are suffering from grievous wounds. Moynihan's insight and Vigano's courage speak to the best of humanity in our struggle to overcome our worst selves.
March 20, 2021
Robert Moynihan's book clearly lays out the history of the statement Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano issued in 2018 in which he called for Pope Francis to resign due to his handling of the Catholic sex abuse crisis and especially his protection of Cardinal McCarrick. Vigano went into hiding after that statement and the author was able to locate him and interview him for this book at an undisclosed setting. Vigano is a man caught between his religion and his faith. This is a complex situation for many people, but especially so for Catholics as they attempt to live out their faith in Jesus Christ all while trying their best to be faithful to the Pope and the teachings of the Church. Pope Francis has added additional weight to this difficulty by being not only contradictory in his statements, but downright confusing in his actions. Vigano is clearly a man faithful to his faith. However, it always puzzles me how this discrepancy between Church teaching and a new, Jesuit, clearly liberal Pope never seems to lead Catholics to the conclusion that this should be the evidence that the Catholic Church is not and never can be the One True Church of Jesus Christ. It is made up of fallible men (even Popes) and giving power to humans has never resulted in less confusion for mankind. If you want to know God's views on matters, read His Word and follow it. It alone contains the means of salvation and how to live a life pleasing to God. I wish Vigano's strong belief in right and wrong would lead him to leave the Catholic Church and serve God and God alone without the interference and chaos that man brings to the table. Moynihan intends to release a second book related to this issue and I look forward to reading it.
April 13, 2024
AN INSIGHTFUL ACCOUNT (WITH INTERVIEWS) OF THE CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE
Robert Moynihan is a journalist and author who founded the ‘Inside the Vatican’ magazine. He wrote in the Preface to this 2020 book, “This story deals in the first place with a terrible reality: the sexual abuse of young people… So this story becomes in part the story both of protecting and of abusing children---of hardened hearts and broken hearts… this story is a story about the virtues of good fathers and the vices of ‘fallen fathers,’ false fathers.” (Pg. xv-xvi)
He continues, “This ‘culture of silence’… has become so harmful to our once-glorious and holy Church that the healing light of truth… about the sexual sins of the hierarchy and about the deviations from the saving doctrines of our faith---has become hidden, veiled, obscured.” (Pg. xxxv) He adds, “This book, then, is also an appeal to our ‘overseers,’ our ‘fathers,’ to rise up to challenge and overcome this confusion by bringing clarity in keeping with the perennial doctrine and pastoral practice of our Church.” (Pg, xliii) He summarizes, “This book… is the account of how Vigano published his ‘Testimony,’ how he went into hiding, how I found him, and how I slowly discovered who he is and what he believes. It is the story of finding the man Vigano… his moral convictions, his prophetic intuitions, but also his weaknesses and failings—and the sharing of those findings.” (Pg. xlviii)
He recounts, “Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, seventy-nine, went into hiding in August 2018 after issuing an eleven-page ‘Testimony’ in which he denounced a widespread ‘cover-up’ of sexual abuse crimes by the leadership of the Catholic Church. The archbishop’s denunciation reached even to the ‘reforming Pope,’ Francis. Vigano famously called on Francis to resign the papacy. In the days after the testimony’s release, it was reported that the Vatican was considering drawing up charges against Vigano to try him for violating the oath he … had taken not to reveal ‘pontifical secrets’---sensitive information gained while serving the Holy See…Vigano … had decided to yield to the urgings of his friends and keep a ‘low profile,’ not risking any public appearances.” (Pg. xix-xx)
He continues, “many Vatican officials feel to this day that Vigano’s allegations and charges were exaggerated, even invented, an act rooted in Vigano’s alleged rage and desire for vengeance after Francs did not name him a cardinal and, in a humiliating decision, evicted Vigano from the Vatican apartment he had lived in for many years… Pope Francis has never responded to Vigano’s accusations…” (Pg. xxv-xxvi) He adds, “Vigano wrote and published his ‘Testimony’ in August 2018… But it contained information that he had been gathering and meditating on for many years.” (Pg. 10)
He observes, “What I am arguing here is that Vigano, having been shaped to his very core by the old Catholic view of the holiness of God and the duties of man to honor and live in accordance with this holiness, is inevitably a figure in tension with the de-sacralized post-Christian view of this modern world, the view that man’s life in this world is without any transcendent meaning.” (Pg. 29)
He notes, “In the summer of 2011, Vigano had been ‘promoted’ to the nunciature post, and he had reacted by appealing to Pope Benedict to keep him at his side in Rome to help him run the Vatican. In retrospect, one wonders is this was one of the decision that later made it inevitable that Benedict would seek to resign. If Vigano had been retained in Rome, would Benedict have been more able to support the strains and pressures of the papacy and remain at his post? We do not know.” (Pg. 69)
He states, “Many Catholics were relieved to read what he said: finally, many thought, someone has ‘pulled back the curtain’ and explained to us in a simple way … what has gone with our Church---that there has been a well-engineered ‘old boys’ network’ in the hierarchy that has covered up abuse, and tolerated abusers, for decades.” (Pg. 79)
He asserts, “this ‘Testimony’ is an institutional indictment more than an indictment of Pope Francis alone. It asks for an institutional reform before it asks Pope Francis to accept what Vigano believes is his own responsibility in the matter. But the main thrust of the ‘Testimony’ is not to condemn Pope Francis or ask for his resignation.. [It] is to condemn an institutional sclerosis that made it impossible, year after year, to take effective action on a case that required action… The fact that most commentators dismiss this ‘Testimony’ as a radically flawed ‘attack on Francis’ simply reveals that the commenter has not read the ‘Testimony’ with care, it has been misunderstood.” (Pg. 133-134)
During his first meeting with Vigano, he asked him why he had gone into hiding, and was told, “I received a warning from friends that I was not safe where I was. So they sent a person… just to bring me to another country… hoping to get there and that they would not stop me at the airport when I arrived.” (Pg. 242)
Moynihan reports, “here we were: Vigano’s position on Francis…He was telling me, without any qualifying clauses, that Francis suffers from a psychological ‘delirium’ of ‘omnipotence,’ that he feels ‘all-powerful.’” (Pg. 254)
He summarizes, “There are two great conflicts of conscience at the center of this book. Both are conflicts between two loyalties… The two conflicts concern the need to choose between two conflicting claims… What principles may guide a man who feels loyalty to two good principles, or institutions?... Each man chooses differently… and the choice reflects the character and soul of the man who makes the choice… The first conflict is between one’s loyalty to an institution… and one’s loyalty to truth… about very ugly matters happening within that structure which human weakness and corruption would prefer to avoid or cover up. The second conflict … is between loyalty to a pope, as a particular man, and loyalty to the ‘essence’ of who the pope it, the successor of Peter and the vicar of Christ.” (Pg. 264-265)
This book will be of great interest to anyone studying this conflict, and the general issue of abuse within the Catholic Church.
Robert Moynihan is a journalist and author who founded the ‘Inside the Vatican’ magazine. He wrote in the Preface to this 2020 book, “This story deals in the first place with a terrible reality: the sexual abuse of young people… So this story becomes in part the story both of protecting and of abusing children---of hardened hearts and broken hearts… this story is a story about the virtues of good fathers and the vices of ‘fallen fathers,’ false fathers.” (Pg. xv-xvi)
He continues, “This ‘culture of silence’… has become so harmful to our once-glorious and holy Church that the healing light of truth… about the sexual sins of the hierarchy and about the deviations from the saving doctrines of our faith---has become hidden, veiled, obscured.” (Pg. xxxv) He adds, “This book, then, is also an appeal to our ‘overseers,’ our ‘fathers,’ to rise up to challenge and overcome this confusion by bringing clarity in keeping with the perennial doctrine and pastoral practice of our Church.” (Pg, xliii) He summarizes, “This book… is the account of how Vigano published his ‘Testimony,’ how he went into hiding, how I found him, and how I slowly discovered who he is and what he believes. It is the story of finding the man Vigano… his moral convictions, his prophetic intuitions, but also his weaknesses and failings—and the sharing of those findings.” (Pg. xlviii)
He recounts, “Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, seventy-nine, went into hiding in August 2018 after issuing an eleven-page ‘Testimony’ in which he denounced a widespread ‘cover-up’ of sexual abuse crimes by the leadership of the Catholic Church. The archbishop’s denunciation reached even to the ‘reforming Pope,’ Francis. Vigano famously called on Francis to resign the papacy. In the days after the testimony’s release, it was reported that the Vatican was considering drawing up charges against Vigano to try him for violating the oath he … had taken not to reveal ‘pontifical secrets’---sensitive information gained while serving the Holy See…Vigano … had decided to yield to the urgings of his friends and keep a ‘low profile,’ not risking any public appearances.” (Pg. xix-xx)
He continues, “many Vatican officials feel to this day that Vigano’s allegations and charges were exaggerated, even invented, an act rooted in Vigano’s alleged rage and desire for vengeance after Francs did not name him a cardinal and, in a humiliating decision, evicted Vigano from the Vatican apartment he had lived in for many years… Pope Francis has never responded to Vigano’s accusations…” (Pg. xxv-xxvi) He adds, “Vigano wrote and published his ‘Testimony’ in August 2018… But it contained information that he had been gathering and meditating on for many years.” (Pg. 10)
He observes, “What I am arguing here is that Vigano, having been shaped to his very core by the old Catholic view of the holiness of God and the duties of man to honor and live in accordance with this holiness, is inevitably a figure in tension with the de-sacralized post-Christian view of this modern world, the view that man’s life in this world is without any transcendent meaning.” (Pg. 29)
He notes, “In the summer of 2011, Vigano had been ‘promoted’ to the nunciature post, and he had reacted by appealing to Pope Benedict to keep him at his side in Rome to help him run the Vatican. In retrospect, one wonders is this was one of the decision that later made it inevitable that Benedict would seek to resign. If Vigano had been retained in Rome, would Benedict have been more able to support the strains and pressures of the papacy and remain at his post? We do not know.” (Pg. 69)
He states, “Many Catholics were relieved to read what he said: finally, many thought, someone has ‘pulled back the curtain’ and explained to us in a simple way … what has gone with our Church---that there has been a well-engineered ‘old boys’ network’ in the hierarchy that has covered up abuse, and tolerated abusers, for decades.” (Pg. 79)
He asserts, “this ‘Testimony’ is an institutional indictment more than an indictment of Pope Francis alone. It asks for an institutional reform before it asks Pope Francis to accept what Vigano believes is his own responsibility in the matter. But the main thrust of the ‘Testimony’ is not to condemn Pope Francis or ask for his resignation.. [It] is to condemn an institutional sclerosis that made it impossible, year after year, to take effective action on a case that required action… The fact that most commentators dismiss this ‘Testimony’ as a radically flawed ‘attack on Francis’ simply reveals that the commenter has not read the ‘Testimony’ with care, it has been misunderstood.” (Pg. 133-134)
During his first meeting with Vigano, he asked him why he had gone into hiding, and was told, “I received a warning from friends that I was not safe where I was. So they sent a person… just to bring me to another country… hoping to get there and that they would not stop me at the airport when I arrived.” (Pg. 242)
Moynihan reports, “here we were: Vigano’s position on Francis…He was telling me, without any qualifying clauses, that Francis suffers from a psychological ‘delirium’ of ‘omnipotence,’ that he feels ‘all-powerful.’” (Pg. 254)
He summarizes, “There are two great conflicts of conscience at the center of this book. Both are conflicts between two loyalties… The two conflicts concern the need to choose between two conflicting claims… What principles may guide a man who feels loyalty to two good principles, or institutions?... Each man chooses differently… and the choice reflects the character and soul of the man who makes the choice… The first conflict is between one’s loyalty to an institution… and one’s loyalty to truth… about very ugly matters happening within that structure which human weakness and corruption would prefer to avoid or cover up. The second conflict … is between loyalty to a pope, as a particular man, and loyalty to the ‘essence’ of who the pope it, the successor of Peter and the vicar of Christ.” (Pg. 264-265)
This book will be of great interest to anyone studying this conflict, and the general issue of abuse within the Catholic Church.
October 16, 2023
🖋️ Fascinating and seems to be a worthy book to read. On my wish list for my private library.
🟪 Kindle—sample.
🔲 Excerpts of note:
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🟪 Kindle—sample.
🔲 Excerpts of note:
🔹“We have to be clear in our minds, but we cannot continue to hide the facts,” Viganò replied. “We must recognize that there is a project of the devil to destroy the Church. The watchwords are a ‘new Church’ for a ‘new humanism.’ No more Jesus Christ, no more cross, no more confession and forgiveness of sins. We must fight against this project. Yes, we must fight for the faith. With God’s help, with confidence, without pride. The time will come when everything will be out in the open. For now, we must study, and pray, and prepare ourselves spiritually for what is to come.
🔸We discussed Pope Francis’s famous remark in the summer of 2013, returning from his trip to World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, about a person with homosexual tendencies who repents of homosexual activity and strives to follow the teaching of the Lord, when he said the five most famous words of his pontificate: “Who am I to judge?”
●▬●🔷●🔷●▬●
April 19, 2021
Outstanding, eminently readable account of the bombshell Vigano Testimony of August 2018, its aftermath, and the efforts by the author to contact Archbishop Vigano for a follow-up interview. Which eventually took place over several days.
Absolutely essential for anyone seeking to understand the Catholic Church and its present, devastating crisis. And the way forward.
The author promises a follow-up volume, which I eagerly await!
Absolutely essential for anyone seeking to understand the Catholic Church and its present, devastating crisis. And the way forward.
The author promises a follow-up volume, which I eagerly await!
May 10, 2021
If you know who Archbishop Viganò is, you will most likely not be able to put this book down. The well respected author goes through Viganò’s testimony slowly and methodically. Many of the bad actors mentioned in the book or bishops who have covered for them are now in high positions in the church which makes this book very interesting and very frightening at the same time. Read with caution lest you lose hope. God’s intervention is sorely needed. Last section of the book is a bit slow.
January 9, 2022
An extremely provocative account of the sexual abuse scandal within the Catholic Church. Vigano gives a detailed account of the failings of the Church hierarchy and the ensuing cover-ups. I as a Catholic, I can't say I was enjoying reading the book, but I found it a page-turner that I couldn't put down.
September 8, 2021
I listened to the audible version of this book.
The information contained in the book is interesting, but often repetitive or nothing new.
The writing style is terribly boring, repetitive, and the narration is some of the worst I've ever heard.
The information contained in the book is interesting, but often repetitive or nothing new.
The writing style is terribly boring, repetitive, and the narration is some of the worst I've ever heard.
February 13, 2021
The author expresses many of the sentiments and fears which are contained in my prayers for the Catholic Church. Excellent read.
February 26, 2021
Interesting
June 19, 2021
A must read for Catholics
Extremely well written. The Catholic church needs more brave men like Vigano. May God continue to bless him and those like him,
Extremely well written. The Catholic church needs more brave men like Vigano. May God continue to bless him and those like him,
February 9, 2023
Thoughtful and inspiring….. a little bit of a bummer at times
Most highly recommended….. read and listened to on the “Audible” app. I sent it to a young Priest I know.
Most highly recommended….. read and listened to on the “Audible” app. I sent it to a young Priest I know.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews