Statement regarding the Emeritus Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney

Upon learning through news reports of Bishop Geoffrey Robinson’s intention to come to the Archdiocese of Detroit to make a presentation, Archbishop Allen Vigneron contacted the bishop, the religious order of women hosting the event, and the cardinal-archbishop in the bishop’s home diocese in Australia. The message was clear— the bishop was not invited by the archbishop or the Detroit archdiocese to come here, and, based on his publicly stated opinions on Church doctrine, the presentation should be cancelled.

In a letter to archdiocesan priests, Archbishop Vigneron shared his concerns about Bishop Robinson’s views and the possibility of “great spiritual harm” to those Catholics who would accept them.