Theodore E. McCarrick, a notable American Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away at 94. He gained notoriety in 2018 when allegations of sexual abuse emerged against minors and seminarians, leading Pope Francis to revoke his title and priesthood. McCarrick, the former Archbishop of Washington, was accused of molesting a teenage boy in the early 1970s while serving in New York, sparking outrage in Vatican City. Following the accusations, he lived a more ordinary life, distancing from the Church’s higher echelons.
Cardinal Robert W. McElroy confirmed his death, stating he died in Missouri, but offered no further details. The scandal prompted the Vatican to reform policies regarding sexual abuse, as numerous priests had faced similar allegations, resulting in millions paid in settlements to victims.