In a significant moment for the Catholic Church, the first cardinal to be defrocked by the Pope due to allegations of sexual abuse has passed away in the United States, as confirmed by a prominent church official. Theodore McCarrick, previously the Archbishop of Washington and the highest-ranking American prelate to face such allegations, died at the age of 94 in Missouri, according to a report by the New York Times that cited a statement from the Vatican.
The current Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Robert McElroy, also acknowledged the news of McCarrick’s death, stating, “Today I learned of the death of Theodore McCarrick, former Archbishop of Washington.”
McCarrick’s journey within the Catholic Church was marked by both distinction and controversy. He played a significant role as an emissary for human rights under former Pope John Paul II, a position that took him to various conflict-ridden regions and allowed him to engage with influential figures, including Fidel Castro of Cuba.
His career took him from serving as the Archbishop of New York to his appointment as the Archbishop of Washington in 2000, where he had interactions with prominent US presidents like Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Further solidifying his stature, he was elevated to the rank of cardinal—one of the highest offices within the clergy with the responsibility of participating in the election of a new pope.
However, the shadow of misconduct loomed large over McCarrick’s legacy. Following allegations that surfaced in 2018, a Vatican investigation revealed that he had assaulted a teenager five decades prior, alongside suspicions of other offenses against minors and young men.
In response to the growing scandal surrounding clerical abuse, Pope Francis expelled McCarrick from the priesthood in 2019, effectively prohibiting him from celebrating Mass, even in private settings. This action came amid increasing public demand for accountability within the Church.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), an advocacy group emphasizing the need for accountability, characterized McCarrick as “one of the most notorious and powerful abusers in the modern history of the Catholic Church.” They criticized, “While he was eventually removed from public ministry, defrocked, and stripped of his red hat, he never stood trial for the vast harm he inflicted on children, young adults, seminarians, and others under his power.”
In a sobering conclusion, SNAP remarked, “His death marks the end of his life—but it does not mark justice for his survivors.”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
