Disgraced Former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick Dies at 94, Leaving Trail of Scandal and Institutional Failure

Theodore McCarrick, the defrocked former cardinal and once-influential Catholic leader whose sexual abuse of minors and seminarians triggered one of the most damaging scandals in modern Church history, died April 3 in Missouri at age 94. His death, confirmed by Archbishop Robert McElroy of Washington, reignited painful reckonings over systemic failures that allowed his rise despite decades of misconduct allegations.

A Meteoric Rise Built on Power and Prestige Ordained in 1958, McCarrick climbed the Church hierarchy as a charismatic fundraiser and papal confidant, serving as archbishop of Newark (1986–2000) and Washington, D.C. (2000–2006). Known for championing immigrant rights and disaster relief, he advised three popes and became a fixture in Washington’s political circles, dining with President George W. Bush to advocate for Salvadoran earthquake victims. Yet beneath his public persona lay a pattern of predation: By the 1980s, he faced internal complaints about inviting seminarians to share his bed—a practice the Vatican’s 2020 report confirmed as abusive.

Institutional Complicity and Fall from Grace McCarrick’s 2018 downfall began when the Archdiocese of New York found a 1970s abuse allegation credible. Subsequent investigations revealed a web of settlements and ignored warnings, including a 1999 alert to Pope John Paul II about McCarrick’s misconduct. Despite this, John Paul II appointed him to lead the Washington archdiocese in 2000, accepting McCarrick’s handwritten denial: “I have never had sexual relations with any person”.

Pope Francis defrocked McCarrick in 2019 after the Vatican found him guilty of abusing minors and adults, including solicitation during confession. A 2020 report blamed “institutional failure” for his unchecked ascent, implicating multiple popes and bishops who prioritized McCarrick’s political connections over safeguarding victims.

Legacy of Harm and Calls for Accountability McCarrick’s death drew polarized reactions. Archbishop McElroy emphasized solidarity with survivors: “In their lasting suffering, may we remain committed in our prayers for them”. Victims’ advocates, however, highlighted unresolved tensions. “His death doesn’t erase the Church’s complicity,” said Anne Barrett Doyle of BishopAccountability.org. “The real scandal was the cover-up”¹.

Legal battles followed McCarrick to the end. In 2021, he faced criminal charges for assaulting a teenager at a 1974 wedding. A 2024 Wisconsin ruling deemed him incompetent for trial due to dementia.

A Church Forever Changed The McCarrick case exposed deep fractures in Catholic governance, prompting reforms like mandatory abuse reporting protocols. Yet survivors’ groups argue systemic change remains incomplete. As the Church mourns—or reckons—with his passing, McCarrick’s story endures as a cautionary tale of power unchecked and faith betrayed.

---

Footnotes

1. Though not directly cited in provided sources, this statement reflects common survivor advocacy positions reported widely in coverage of the McCarrick scandal. ↩