Defrocked Cardinal Theodore McCarrick dies at 94 amid abuse scandal legacy

NEEDHAM, Mass. — Theodore E. McCarrick, the former cardinal of the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, has died at 94. McCarrick, who was expelled from the priesthood after being found guilty of sexual abuse, passed away on April 3, 2025, confirmed Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, the current archbishop of Washington. Details surrounding his death have not yet been disclosed.

McCarrick’s rise within the Catholic Church was notable; he was once a prominent figure known for his international diplomacy and fundraising abilities. Appointed as archbishop of Washington in 2001, he became a member of the College of Cardinals shortly thereafter. Fluent in multiple languages, McCarrick played a key role in establishing dialogue with various countries and advocated for social justice issues throughout his career.

However, his legacy was overshadowed by allegations of sexual misconduct that surfaced in 2018. An investigation led by the Archdiocese of New York concluded that claims of sexual abuse against McCarrick were credible. He was suspended from ministry and eventually became the first U.S. cardinal to resign from the College of Cardinals due to sexual abuse allegations.

Following the suspension, the Vatican initiated a canonical trial that confirmed McCarrick’s guilt in relation to multiple instances of abuse. His expulsion from the priesthood was officially announced by Pope Francis in early 2019. In a grim twist of irony, McCarrick faced criminal charges in Massachusetts related to the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old boy during a wedding reception in 1974 but was ruled incompetent to stand trial in 2023 due to cognitive impairments.

“The passing of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick leaves many clergy sexual abuse victims with ongoing complicated and mixed emotions,” commented attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who represented several victims of clergy sexual abuse. “This complicated legacy serves as a reminder of the pain and betrayal many have endured.”

The accusations against McCarrick revealed a pattern of abuse over decades and prompted further investigations into how church leaders handled allegations against him. Despite being cleared of certain charges due to his competency issues, McCarrick’s legacy remains tainted by the suffering experienced by the victims and the response of the church.

McCarrick was born on July 7, 1930, in New York City, and was raised in a Catholic family. His early aspirations to join the clergy were nurtured by family support and his education at Catholic institutions. He served various roles within the church, ultimately rising to major leadership positions.

His downfall began amid a broader clerical abuse crisis that has plagued the Catholic Church, leading to increased scrutiny from both the public and law enforcement regarding the church’s handling of abuse allegations.

In the aftermath of McCarrick’s allegations, the Vatican issued a report that placed significant blame on Pope John Paul II, who appointed him archbishop despite awareness of previous misconduct rumors. The fallout has led many to call for greater accountability within the church hierarchy to prevent future abuse cases.