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Theodore McCarrick, a former Catholic cardinal who was defrocked in 2019 after being found guilty of sexual abuse, has died at the age of 94. McCarrick, who passed away in Missouri on Thursday (April 3), was once a prominent figure in the Catholic Church, serving as the archbishop of Washington, D.C., and a Vatican emissary to global trouble spots.
McCarrick's career came to an abrupt end when a Vatican investigation revealed he had molested adults and children. This led to his defrocking by Pope Francis, making him the first cardinal to be removed from the priesthood due to sexual abuse allegations. The scandal surrounding McCarrick highlighted the Catholic Church's ongoing struggle to address abuse within its ranks and raised questions about the church's handling of such cases.
Archbishop of Washington Robert McElroy confirmed McCarrick's death and expressed his thoughts for those harmed by McCarrick during his ministry. McCarrick's misconduct had been known to some church leaders for decades, yet he continued to rise through the ranks, becoming a cardinal in 2001.
McCarrick was a prolific fundraiser and influential figure, known for his diplomatic skills and ability to connect with both the faithful and the powerful. However, his legacy is marred by the abuse scandal, which has left many victims seeking justice.