Decades ago, no one would have thought that the Archbishop of Washington, one of the most prominent figures in the Church in the United States, would be expelled from the College of Cardinals and the priesthood.
This was the case of Theodore McCarrick, whose story caused shock and anger within the Catholic Church. In 2019, the Doctrine of the Faith found him guilty of sexual abuse of minors and adults, with the aggravated factor of abuse of power.
More than a year later, the Vatican published a report that sought to explain how the former cardinal was able to rise so high in the Church hierarchy, especially during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II.
POPE FRANCIS
Novemeber 11, 2020
Yesterday, the report on the painful case of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick was published. I renew my closeness to the victims of all abuses and the Church's commitment to eradicate this evil.
GEORGE WEIGEL
John Paul II's Biographer
The report makes very clear that he brazenly lied to John Paul II in the letter he sent after some cautions were raised about his appointment to Washington. Pathological liars deceive people, including saints. Saints are not immune to being deceived by pathological liars.
The former cardinal always pled not guilty. The civil proceedings brought against him in the United States never found him guilty because the proceedings were never concluded. The judges declared McCarrick unfit to stand trial due to insanity.
With his death at the age of 94, the Church in the United States and the Vatican are reminded of one of the most painful episodes they have experienced in recent decades.
JRB
TR: GS
