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Defrocked Cardinal Theodore McCarrick Dies Amidst Sexual Abuse Allegations
Theodore McCarrick, the first cardinal dismissed from the Catholic priesthood by the Pope due to accusations of sexual abuse, has died in the United States, according to a high-ranking American church official. This news marks a significant moment in the ongoing reckoning within the Catholic Church regarding clergy abuse.
Death Confirmed
McCarrick, the former Archbishop of Washington and the highest-ranking U.S. prelate in the Catholic Church to face sexual misconduct allegations, passed away at the age of 94 in Missouri, The New York Times reported, citing a Vatican announcement.
Cardinal Robert McElroy, the current Archbishop of Washington, also verified his death.
“Today, I was informed of the death of Theodore McCarrick, former Archbishop of Washington,” McElroy stated. “At this moment, I am particularly mindful of those he harmed throughout his time as a priest. May we, in recognition of their enduring suffering, remain steadfast in our prayers for them and for all victims of sexual abuse.”
A Career Overshadowed by Scandal
McCarrick’s career within the Catholic Church was once distinguished. He served as a special envoy for human rights under Pope John Paul II, a role that involved travel to areas of conflict and meetings with global leaders, including Fidel Castro of Cuba.
Formerly the Archbishop of New York, he assumed the position of Archbishop in the U.S. capital in 2000 and interacted with U.S. Presidents such as Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
McCarrick also attained the rank of cardinal, a senior position in the clergy and part of the group of electors responsible for choosing a new Pope.
Downfall and Defrocking
However, allegations of historical misconduct surfaced in 2018, leading to a Vatican inquiry that substantiated claims of sexual assault against a teenager five decades prior.
He was further implicated in additional sexual assaults against minors and young men.
Amid mounting pressure regarding the escalating abuse crisis within the Catholic Church, Pope Francis removed McCarrick from the priesthood in 2019. This action stripped McCarrick of his priestly privileges, including the ability to celebrate Mass, even privately.
The Catholic Church has faced persistent challenges in eradicating abusers from its ranks for decades, frequently encountering accusations of cover-ups that extend to its highest echelons.
Reactions and Survivor Advocacy
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), an advocacy group for holding sexual predators accountable, issued a statement on Friday labeling McCarrick “one of the most infamous and influential abusers in the modern history of the Catholic Church.”
SNAP asserted that McCarrick “was never held accountable for his crimes.”
“While he was eventually removed from public ministry, defrocked, and stripped of his cardinal’s vestments, he never faced trial for the extensive harm he inflicted upon children, young adults, seminarians, and others under his authority.”
“His death signifies the conclusion of his life – but it does not deliver justice for those who survived his abuse.”