Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked by Pope Francis in 2019 after a Vatican investigation confirmed he had molested adults and children, has died at age 94. The McCarrick scandal revealed a crisis of credibility within the Catholic Church as leaders turned a blind eye to his misconduct for years.
Key Points
McCarrick was defrocked by Pope Francis in 2019 after a Vatican investigation confirmed his misconduct
The scandal highlighted the failure of church leaders to address reports of abuse
McCarrick's death raises questions about accountability and justice for his victims
Pros
Transparency regarding the scandal surrounding McCarrick's actions
Acknowledgment of the harm caused to victims of sexual abuse
Cons
Failure of church leaders to address reports of misconduct in a timely manner