The primary cardinal to be defrocked by the Pope over allegations of sexual abuse has died in the US, a senior US churchman stated on Friday.
Theodore McCarrick, the previous archbishop of Washington and probably the most senior American prelate within the Catholic church to face claims of abuse, died within the state of Missouri aged 94, the New York Occasions reported, citing a Vatican assertion.
His demise was additionally confirmed by the present Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Robert McElroy.
“In the present day I realized of the demise of Theodore McCarrick, former Archbishop of Washington,” a press release stated.
“At this second I’m particularly aware of those that he harmed through the course of his priestly ministry. By way of their enduring ache, could we stay steadfast in our prayers for them and for all victims of sexual abuse.”
McCarrick’s profession within the Catholic church had been lengthy and distinguished, having served as an emissary on human rights for former pope John Paul II, a task that took him to battle zones and introduced him into contact with world leaders reminiscent of Cuba’s Fidel Castro.
A former archbishop of New York, he was made archbishop within the US capital in 2000 and rubbed shoulders with US presidents together with Invoice Clinton and George W Bush.
He additionally was made a cardinal, one of the crucial senior members of the clergy and a part of a slate of electors tasked with choosing a brand new pope.
However after allegations of historic misconduct emerged in 2018, a Vatican investigation discovered he had assaulted an adolescent 5 many years earlier.
He was additionally suspected of different sexual assaults in opposition to minors and younger males.
Pope Francis, below fireplace for a rising abuse scandal within the Catholic church, expelled him from the priesthood in 2019, stripping him of his proper to say mass, even in non-public.
The Catholic church has struggled for many years to root out abusers inside its ranks, with frequent accusations of cover-ups extending to its highest ranges.
The Survivors Community of these Abused by Clergymen (Snap), which campaigns for sexual predators to be held accountable, on Friday referred to as McCarrick “one of the crucial infamous and highly effective abusers within the fashionable historical past of the Catholic church”.
McCarrick “was by no means held accountable for his crimes”, a press release stated.
“Whereas he was ultimately faraway from public ministry, defrocked and stripped of his purple hat, he by no means stood trial for the huge hurt he inflicted on kids, younger adults, seminarians and others below his energy.
“His demise marks the tip of his life – however it doesn’t mark justice for his survivors.”
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