Catholic lay group Voice of the Faithful says Cardinal Francis George of Chicago should resign, a week after court documents reveal his missteps in handling clergy sex abuse cases. George, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and a good friend of Pope Benedict XVI, is one of the country’s most influential churchmen.

As part of an settlement with 16 victims, most of whom were abused before George’s term began, the cardinal agreed to release the deposition he gave during litigation over the cases.

VOTF says George’s deposition reveals poor “pastoring skills and his inability to lead the people of Chicago.“

“His repeated failures .. indicate a trend to disregard advice from outside clerical circles and continue to follow precedents of deceit, cover ups and secrecy (embedded in the clerical culture) in lieu of protecting innocent children from irreparable harm,” VOTF says.

“When will Catholic citizens demand morality and justice in our own Church?”

No response yet from George. If I find one, I’ll post it.