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Theodore McCarrick, Defrocked Cardinal Accused of Sexual Abuse, Dies at 94

McCarrick, the first cardinal removed from the priesthood for sexual abuse, leaves behind unresolved questions about justice and accountability in the Catholic Church.

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Overview

  • Theodore McCarrick, former Archbishop of Washington, died at 94, as confirmed by Cardinal Robert McElroy on April 4, 2025.
  • McCarrick was the first cardinal in Catholic Church history to be defrocked by the Pope due to sexual abuse allegations, losing his priesthood in 2019.
  • The Vatican found him guilty of abusing at least one minor in the 1970s and engaging in misconduct with seminarians over several years.
  • Legal proceedings against McCarrick were suspended in January 2024 due to his declining health and dementia, leaving him untried for his alleged crimes.
  • Advocacy groups, including SNAP, have expressed that McCarrick's death does not equate to justice for his victims, reigniting calls for institutional reform within the Church.