Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick
Summary of Abuse of Minors by Theodore E. McCarrick
Theodore E. McCarrick was a prominent Catholic priest and cardinal. He was ordained in 1958 and rose to become Archbishop of Washington, D.C. In 2019, he was removed from the clerical state after credible allegations of sexual abuse came to light.
Timeline of Theodore E. McCarrick Appointments and Rise Through the Catholic Church
1958: Ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of New York.
1977: Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of New York.
1981: Became Bishop of Metuchen, New Jersey.
1986: Named Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey.
2001: Appointed Archbishop of Washington, D.C.
Elevated to Cardinal by Pope John Paul II.
2006: Retired as Archbishop of Washington.
2017: First public allegations of sexual abuse of a minor emerge.
Archdiocese of New York investigates and finds the allegations credible and substantiated.
2018: Multiple new allegations surface, including abuse of minors and seminarians. McCarrick is removed from public ministry.
The Vatican orders McCarrick to a life of prayer and penance.
2019: McCarrick is laicized (removed from the clerical state) by the Vatican, the highest penalty for a priest.
Summary of Abuse of Minors by Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick
McCarrick’s abuse spanned decades and involved both minors and young adults. Victims included altar boys, seminarians, and young priests. Many survivors reported that McCarrick used his power and influence to groom, manipulate, and abuse them.
The Archdiocese of New York and several other dioceses found the allegations credible. McCarrick’s actions were widely reported in the media and led to global outrage and calls for reform in the Catholic Church.
Key points:
- Abuse occurred over many years, in several locations.
- Survivors described patterns of grooming, secrecy, and intimidation.
- Reports indicate church officials were warned about McCarrick’s behavior for years but failed to act.
- The Vatican’s 2019 decision to remove McCarrick from the priesthood was historic and rare.
News Stories About the Fall of Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick
PBS News – April 4, 2025
Catholic News Agency – April 4, 2025
NPR WHYY – February 16, 2019
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