Theodore McCarrick, former Cardinal, passes away at 94 amid scandal
Former Cardinal McCarrick, once a powerful figure in the Church, was expelled after decades of abuse allegations. His fall exposes deep flaws in how the Church handled sexual misconduct.
Theodore McCarrick, the former archbishop of Washington, passed away at 94. Once a prominent figure in the Roman Catholic Church, McCarrick’s legacy became overshadowed by accusations of sexual abuse, leading to his defrocking. The Vatican confirmed his death in Missouri, where he had been living in seclusion after being stripped of his ministry, priesthood, and cardinal title in 2018.
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McCarrick's 2018 allegations and resignation from the college of Cardinals amid sexual abuse scandal
In 2018, McCarrick was accused of molesting a teenage altar server in the early 1970s. The church had already been grappling with sexual abuse scandals, and McCarrick’s case added to the growing list of allegations against clergy. Despite denying the accusations, McCarrick did not contest the findings of the church’s investigation.
Following the allegations, McCarrick resigned from the College of Cardinals, a rare occurrence in church history. He was suspended from his priestly duties and ordered into a secluded life of prayer and penance. The Vatican’s swift action signaled its attempt to contain the scandal at the highest levels, and McCarrick’s resignation set a precedent for dealing with such cases.
McCarrick's expulsion from priesthood in 2019 marks historic laicization for sexual abuse
In early 2019, McCarrick was expelled from the priesthood after a canonical trial found him guilty of sexually abusing minors and seminarians. His expulsion from the priesthood marked the first time a former cardinal in the United States was laicized for sexual abuse. McCarrick’s case exemplified the rare but significant consequences faced by church leaders who commit such offenses.
Throughout the years, numerous other allegations emerged, leading to criminal charges against McCarrick. Despite the statute of limitations hindering some legal actions, charges continued to be filed against him. His case drew attention to how the Catholic Church had long known about McCarrick’s abuse but failed to act, with several investigations revealing that high-ranking clerics had protected him for decades.