Former Cardinal McCarrick, Disgraced in Abuse Scandal, Dies at 94

Theodore McCarrick, the former cardinal and Archbishop of Washington, D.C., died Wednesday at the age of 94. Once a globe-trotting emissary of the Holy See, McCarricks career ended in disgrace after the Catholic Church found him guilty of multiple instances of sexual abuse. He was defrocked in 2019.

McCarricks rise through the ranks of the Catholic Church was remarkable. He held positions of influence for decades, advising popes and traveling the world on behalf of the Vatican. However, allegations of sexual abuse surfaced, detailing decades of misconduct involving both minors and adults.

The Vatican launched an investigation into the claims, ultimately finding them credible. McCarrick was subsequently removed from the priesthood, marking a historic fall from grace for a man who had once been one of the most powerful figures in the American Catholic Church. His case exposed systemic failures within the church's handling of sexual abuse allegations and prompted calls for greater accountability.

The scandal involving McCarrick had a profound impact on the Catholic Church, both in the United States and internationally. It fueled public outrage and prompted renewed scrutiny of the church's policies and practices regarding the protection of children and vulnerable adults. His death closes a chapter, but the questions and reforms stemming from his actions continue to shape the Catholic Church.