Theodore E. McCarrick, the former archbishop of Washington, has passed away at the age of 94. He was the highest-ranking American in the Roman Catholic Church accused of sexually abusing minors and seminarians. His death was confirmed by Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, the current archbishop of Washington, who did not provide additional details. The Vatican stated that McCarrick died on Thursday in Missouri, where he had been living.
McCarrick’s fall from grace began in 2018 when allegations surfaced that he had molested a teenage altar server in the early 1970s while serving as a monsignor in New York City. This revelation shocked many, especially given McCarrick’s role in shaping the Church’s responses to sexual abuse cases. His case was part of a broader pattern of abuse within the Church, which has faced numerous accusations and paid out hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements over the years. Notably, Cardinal Bernard F. Law, the former archbishop of Boston, resigned in 2012 after it was revealed he had protected abusive priests.
Following the allegations, McCarrick resigned from his ministry at the direction of Pope Francis. Despite the serious charges against him, he maintained his innocence, claiming he had no memory of the reported abuse. He cooperated with the Church’s investigation but did not contest its findings. In a statement, he expressed sorrow for the pain experienced by the accuser and acknowledged the scandal caused by the allegations.
Further allegations against McCarrick emerged after the initial accusations. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark revealed that during McCarrick’s time as bishop in Metuchen, New Jersey, three adults accused him of inappropriate behavior, leading to two financial settlements. Additionally, former priests reported that he had sexual contact with numerous seminarians, who often referred to him as “Uncle Ted.”
McCarrick’s death marks the end of a complicated legacy, one that began with a prominent rise in the Church but ended in disgrace. His case highlights ongoing issues of accountability and transparency within the Catholic Church regarding sexual abuse.