Disgraced cardinal Theodore McCarrick dies at age 94

In the United States, Theodore McCarrick, the former cardinal of the Catholic Church, has died at the age of 94. McCarrick's death was confirmed by the Archbishop of Washington, Robert McElroy, who released a statement focusing on the victims of McCarrick's abuse. McCarrick had previously been defrocked by Pope Francis in 2019 following an investigation that revealed he had sexually abused both adults and children during his tenure in the church. Prior to his defrocking, McCarrick was known as a significant figure within the Catholic Church, having served as an archbishop and a prominent fundraiser who managed to maintain relationships with multiple popes. Despite his climb to the upper echelons of the church, a lengthy investigation disclosed that church leaders were aware of numerous allegations against him, suggesting a systemic failure to address his misconduct. Reports stated that he had been diagnosed with dementia and lived in Missouri at the time of his death. The scandal surrounding McCarrick significantly impacted the Catholic Church, raising questions regarding the church’s accountability and the culture surrounding clerical sexual abuse. After McCarrick's downfall, many called for reform within the church to prevent similar situations from arising in the future. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests expressed dissatisfaction that McCarrick faced no criminal trial for his actions, emphasizing the ongoing suffering of his victims and the necessity for justice and healing for those harmed by his actions.