By Jessica Remo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

In the wake of a Pennsylvania grand jury report alleging decades of sexual abuse of children by priests and sophisticated cover-ups by bishops, people have been hanging on the pope's every word.

So, wait? What, exactly, did his Holiness mean when he referenced a "Great Accuser" attacking bishops in a homily today?

Weeks after the Pennsylvania allegations (which included four priests with ties to N.J.) — and after a cardinal accused the pope of covering up other alleged sexual abuses by former Newark Archbishop Theodore McCarrick — Pope Francis preached the following, according to Vatican News:

“In these times, it seems like the 'Great Accuser' has been unchained and is attacking bishops. True, we are all sinners, we bishops. He tries to uncover the sins, so they are visible in order to scandalize the people. The 'Great Accuser', as he himself says to God in the first chapter of the Book of Job, 'roams the earth looking for someone to accuse'. A bishop’s strength against the 'Great Accuser' is prayer, that of Jesus and his own, and the humility of being chosen and remaining close to the people of God, without seeking an aristocratic life that removes this unction. Let us pray, today, for our bishops: for me, for those who are here, and for all the bishops throughout the world.”

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Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro speaks during a news conference about the grand jury report. (Matt Rourke | AP Photo)

A vastly different tone

The mention in his homily — which, to be clear, did not reference the recent scandals directly — certainly came at an interesting time.

If he's talking about the accusations of sexual abuse, then his words are in stark contrast to his condemnation issued a few days after the Pennsylvania grand jury report — and would seem to undermine his call for accountability.

"With shame and repentance, we acknowledge as an ecclesial community that we were not where we should have been, that we did not act in a timely manner, realizing the magnitude and the gravity of the damage done to so many lives," Pope Francis wrote in a letter to the church following the report. "We showed no care for the little ones; we abandoned them."

The New York Times called it "one of the strongest mea culpas to date on an issue that Pope Francis has tried to address head-on in recent months."

Today's bit about the "Great Accuser"? Not so well received. Here, a peek at the fallout so far.

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Who is the Great Accuser?

If the pope's comments are a veiled commentary on the scandals, who, exactly, is the Great Accuser, folks asked on Twitter. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro? The grand jury? The victims themselves? Or is it Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò?

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I assume The Great Accuser is a factually accurate grand jury report? — Josh (@Birkenscotts) September 11, 2018

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By "Great Accuser" does he mean "little boys that we're raped by priests"? — Not Jim Ardis (@NotPeoriaMayor) September 11, 2018

Well, the "Great Accuser" is a Biblical reference to Satan himself, as those who know such things explained.

According to bible.org, "The term is used of one who makes accusations and presses charges" and, specifically, Satan himself in Revelations 12:10.

The verse reads: "And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: 'Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, he who accuses them day and night before our God."

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The Great Accuser referred to here is Satan. Stop assuming that he is attacking the laity — PerBj (@PereiraBJoy) September 11, 2018

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"The 'Great Accuser', as he himself says to God in the first chapter of the Book of Job, 'roams the earth looking for someone to accuse'."

Yeah, but the guy he picked (Job), unlike the men who preyed on children and those who helped cover it up, ***hadn't done anything wrong***. — Jeryl Bier (@JerylBier) September 11, 2018

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Some are hoping there is an explanation, another interpretation perhaps

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From a homily of @pontifex -

"The Great Accuser has been unchained and is attacking bishops. He tries to uncover the sins, so they are visible in order to scandalize the people."



Is there some way we can interpret this other than he prefers bishops' sins to stay hidden? — The Awful, Unresolved, Pharasaic Scelata (@TheScelata) September 11, 2018

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While others stood firm, saying there's no other way of deciphering it

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yeah, I'm a cradle Catholic, and I read the article. Unless he's using some super-secret coded language, he's saying there is a great accuser roaming around trying to ensnare bishops. What is the alternative reading of that? — Buddha judge (@second_nature) September 11, 2018

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In theory, the "Great Accuser" is Satan himself -- not the victims themselves. Nonetheless, this way of interpreting of Pope Francis' homily doesn't redeem it either. — Sorella (@SorellaTorta) September 11, 2018

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Some noted that blaming Satan still amounts to a deflection

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I can't imagine a purer and more undiluted form of clericalism than to say that those who are exposing the wrong doing of bishops are agents of Satan. https://t.co/07MKCfZbme — Ben Op-timist (@bedecuthbert) September 11, 2018

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It appears that PF views those who are trying to uncover the truth as working on behalf of the Great Accuser. Or agents of Satan. With all due respect, he sounds like the Church Lady from SNL. — MikeB (@Blivet111) September 11, 2018

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Remember, kiddos: The Church is the REAL victim here. https://t.co/npSEDSQtLK — Flyer Ryan (@rmahoney76) September 11, 2018

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The homily of @pontifex today is nothing but one giant #VictimShaming rant. SHAME ON @Pontifex!!!! Those who "accuse bishops" are NOT in league with the devil! SHAME! #FrancisResign https://t.co/yrAaBaPo7W — Aloysius Churchgate (@AloysiusChurch) September 11, 2018

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While plenty more just expressed disbelief

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Has he completely lost his mind? https://t.co/dq6wZFUl43 — Kelly Lucia (@irishsignora) September 11, 2018

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Am I getting this right? Not the sins, but their uncovering is the work of Satan? I am quite speechless. https://t.co/kqdB8dLS58 — Dr John Ferguson (@JohnAFerguson) September 11, 2018

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"The Great Accuser tries to uncover the sins, so they are visible in order to scandalize the people." -- words actually spoken by @Pontifex this morning. Logical conclusion: the sins should stay hidden so the devil can't cause scandal. Speechless. https://t.co/En20ZIgEQN — Patrick Coffin (@Patrick_Coffin) September 11, 2018

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No, your holiness, NO! NOOO!!!

The way to prevent scandalizing us is not for them to HIDE their sins, but to repent & STOP sinning!

"The Great Accuser has been unchained & is attacking bishops. He tries to uncover the sins, so they are visible in order to scandalize the people." — The Awful, Unresolved, Pharasaic Scelata (@TheScelata) September 11, 2018

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Are these comments going to affect his reputation? At least in these folks' eyes

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Translation: Boys will be boys. https://t.co/gfHRa59QfF — Karen Hanretty (@karenhanretty) September 11, 2018

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Uncovering crime is not done for scandal but healing. Pray for the pope. "In these times, it seems like the Great Accuser has been unchained and is attacking bishops... He tries to uncover the sins, so they are visible in order to scandalize the people." https://t.co/Ui1wbtn6TJ — Kelly J Miller (@_KellyJMiller) September 11, 2018

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We just all need to shut up according to @Pontifex https://t.co/Zl3LMh9SnH — Mark (@sitsio) September 11, 2018

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@guypbenson Did you see that Francis is calling on the bishops to pray to overcome the great accuser that spreads scandal .. talk about a spin he and his forces caused and alllowed this to happen he’s got a lot of splanin to do to God to steal a phrase from Ricky Ricardo — Jim Marcello (@james_marcello) September 11, 2018

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He's breaking my heart, and countless others. Pope Francis at Mass: Bishops must pray to overcome 'Great Accuser’ https://t.co/cnQ68jn7zd — Fr. Steve Mattson (@frstevemattson) September 11, 2018

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(Jonathan Nackstrand/Getty Images)

What do you think?

Were today's comments a clear reference to the scandals? Or simply an ill-timed choice? Do they change how you feel about Pope Francis? Tell us in the comments.

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Read more

Scathing sex abuse report names 300 accused Catholic priests -- including some with N.J. ties

The Pope accepts Cardinal McCarrick's resignation

Here's how much N.J. Catholic dioceses paid to alleged McCarrick sex abuse victims

Are these 66 Catholic schools, parishes ignoring rules meant to stop sex abuse?

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Jessica Remo may be reached at jremo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessicaRemoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.