Theodore E. McCarrick, the disgraced former cardinal and archbishop of Washington, D.C., has died at the age of 94. McCarrick, who was once a prominent figure in the Catholic Church, was expelled from the priesthood in 2019 after being found guilty of sexual abuse against minors and adults. His death on April 3, 2025, was confirmed by Cardinal Robert McElroy, the current archbishop of Washington, who expressed his thoughts for McCarrick's victims in a statement.
Born in New York City on July 7, 1930, McCarrick was raised in a modest household by a widowed mother. He was ordained a priest in 1958 and quickly climbed the ecclesiastical ladder, becoming an auxiliary bishop in New York in 1977, then the first bishop of the newly created Diocese of Metuchen in 1981, and later archbishop of Newark in 1986. His influential career culminated in his appointment as archbishop of Washington in 2001, where he was elevated to cardinal shortly thereafter by Pope John Paul II.
McCarrick was known for his fundraising prowess and diplomatic skills, often acting as a Vatican emissary. He garnered respect for his advocacy on social justice issues and his ability to connect with both political and religious leaders. However, this public persona was shattered when allegations of sexual abuse began to surface in 2018, prompting an internal investigation by the Archdiocese of New York.
In June 2018, the Archdiocese announced that credible allegations had been made against McCarrick, including accusations of sexually abusing a teenage altar server in the early 1970s. Following these revelations, he resigned from the College of Cardinals, making him the first cardinal in history to do so due to sexual abuse allegations. Pope Francis subsequently ordered McCarrick to live a life of prayer and penance until a canonical trial could be conducted.
In February 2019, the Vatican confirmed McCarrick's expulsion from the priesthood after he was found guilty of multiple charges, including soliciting sex during confession and abusing his power. The Vatican's report detailed a troubling history of McCarrick's rise within the church despite longstanding allegations of misconduct. It placed significant blame on previous popes, particularly John Paul II, who appointed him archbishop of Washington despite being aware of accusations against him.
McCarrick's case had a profound impact on the Catholic Church, sparking outrage among parishioners and prompting calls for greater accountability among church leaders. His actions and the church's handling of the allegations against him underscored the systemic issues of clerical abuse and cover-ups that have plagued the institution for decades.
Despite being defrocked, McCarrick faced legal challenges until the end of his life. He was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault, including incidents involving minors. However, in 2023, a Massachusetts judge ruled him unfit to stand trial due to dementia, effectively suspending all legal proceedings against him. This decision mirrored a similar ruling in Wisconsin, where charges were also dismissed on the grounds of his mental incapacity.
The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) expressed frustration over McCarrick's death, noting that he never faced trial for the extensive harm he inflicted. Peter Isely, a founding member of SNAP, stated, “McCarrick may be dead, but his many victims are not. We are still here, still living with the harm he caused — and with the church’s failure to stop him.”
McCarrick's legacy is a complicated one, marked by his initial rise to power and the subsequent fall from grace that revealed the darker side of his ministry. While he was once celebrated for his contributions to the church and society, his life serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the need for accountability within religious institutions.
As McCarrick's story comes to a close, many in the Catholic community are left grappling with the implications of his actions and the church's ongoing struggle to address the sexual abuse crisis. The fallout from his case continues to resonate, highlighting the urgent need for reform and greater transparency in the church's dealings with allegations of abuse.
In the wake of his death, Cardinal McElroy's statement reflects the broader sentiment among many who feel deep sorrow for the victims of McCarrick's actions. “At this moment I am especially mindful of those who he harmed during the course of his priestly ministry,” McElroy said, urging continued prayers for all victims of sexual abuse.
