Theodore McCarrick, the former Roman Catholic cardinal once considered one of the most influential figures in the American Church before being defrocked over sexual abuse allegations, has died at the age of 94.
McCarrick passed away at a care facility in Missouri, where he had been staying in recent years amid declining health and ongoing legal proceedings. His death comes as the Catholic Church and abuse survivors continue to grapple with the far-reaching impact of his case.
From Prominence to Scandal
Once a high-ranking Church leader and a trusted advisor to popes, McCarrick’s fall from grace was swift and public. In 2018, he became the highest-ranking U.S. Catholic official to be removed from the priesthood after the Vatican found him guilty of sexually abusing minors and seminarians over decades.
The revelations rocked the global Church, igniting renewed scrutiny of how abuse cases were handled at the highest levels. His removal marked a turning point in Church accountability, spurring new reforms and survivor-led advocacy.
Legacy Overshadowed by Abuse Allegations
Despite decades of influence in Washington, D.C., and the Vatican, McCarrick’s legacy is now defined by the abuse scandal. Dozens of alleged victims came forward, and multiple civil and criminal investigations were launched in the years following his removal.
In 2021, McCarrick was criminally charged with sexually assaulting a teenage boy in the 1970s. His legal team argued he was not competent to stand trial due to dementia, leading to ongoing delays in proceedings.
While some Church leaders offered condolences after his passing, others emphasized the enduring pain of his victims and the importance of justice, even posthumously.
McCarrick’s death closes a chapter in one of the most prominent clerical abuse cases in modern U.S. history — but for many, the healing and reckoning continue.
