Defrocked Former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick Dies at 94 Amid Scandal

• Apr 05, 2025

Theodore McCarrick, the former Catholic cardinal who was defrocked by Pope Francis in 2019 after a Vatican investigation revealed he had sexually abused both adults and children, has died at the age of 94. McCarrick, once a powerful figure in the church, passed away in Missouri, where he had been living after being diagnosed with dementia.

The news of McCarrick’s death was confirmed by Archbishop of Washington, Robert McElroy, who issued a statement on Friday. McElroy’s message focused on the harm caused to McCarrick’s victims, expressing ongoing prayers for those affected by the abuse.

The scandal surrounding McCarrick led to a major credibility crisis for the Catholic Church. His rise through the ranks of the church—culminating in his position as archbishop of Washington, D.C. and cardinal—was marked by allegations of misconduct with seminarians, which were often ignored or downplayed by church leaders. Despite the accusations, McCarrick remained influential, advising three popes and raising substantial funds for the church.

A Vatican investigation released in 2020 revealed disturbing details about McCarrick’s behavior and the church’s failure to act. The investigation largely placed blame on Pope John Paul II, who, despite an inquiry confirming McCarrick’s misconduct, appointed him to his prestigious position in 2000. The report highlighted a pattern of dismissing warnings and ignoring the suffering of victims over several decades, particularly within the church’s internal culture of silence and protection for high-ranking officials.

The report also included testimonies from those who attempted to report McCarrick’s inappropriate behavior, including with children, in the 1980s. Despite this, the church’s response was minimal, and McCarrick’s rise continued largely unchecked.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) expressed frustration over McCarrick’s death, noting that, although defrocked, he never stood trial for the extensive harm he caused. "McCarrick may be dead, but his many victims are not," said Peter Isely, a founding member of SNAP.

McCarrick’s career spanned decades. He was ordained as a priest in New York City in 1958, later becoming bishop of Metuchen, New Jersey, archbishop of Newark, and eventually cardinal in 2001. He participated in the 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI and was a prominent figure in church events, including presiding over high-profile services like Senator Ted Kennedy’s funeral in 2009.

Despite his significant achievements, McCarrick’s legacy is now overshadowed by the abuse scandal that has tainted his career and the church’s response.