Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, a former powerful figure in the Roman Catholic Church, has had his sexual assault case dismissed due to a diagnosis of dementia. The 93-year-old cardinal was facing charges of sexually assaulting a teenage boy decades ago. The decision to dismiss the case was agreed upon by both prosecutors and defense attorneys, who acknowledged McCarrick’s deteriorating mental state.
McCarrick, who previously served as the archbishop of Washington, D.C., was defrocked by Pope Francis in 2019 after an internal Vatican investigation confirmed that he had sexually molested both adults and children. The scandal surrounding McCarrick’s actions caused a credibility crisis for the church, as there was evidence that Vatican and U.S. church leaders were aware of his inappropriate behavior but chose to ignore it. McCarrick had risen to prominence within the church due to his fundraising skills and his advisory role to three popes.
During the hearing, a psychologist hired by the prosecution testified that she found significant memory deficits in McCarrick during two interviews. He struggled to recall previous discussions and had difficulty retaining information from one hour to the next. The psychologist stated that there are no medications that can improve McCarrick’s symptoms, as dementia is a progressive condition.
Due to his inability to remember discussions, McCarrick was unable to actively participate in his own defense, leading to the dismissal of the case. McCarrick appeared via video link during the hearing, showing signs of his age and wearing a light green shirt with a grey sweater vest or sweater around his shoulders. He did not speak during the proceedings.
Despite the dismissal of the case, McCarrick’s reputation remains tarnished. He has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. In April, he was also charged with sexually assaulting an 18-year-old man in Wisconsin over 45 years ago. McCarrick’s attorneys had previously requested the court to dismiss the case, citing a diagnosis of dementia by a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
The decision to dismiss the case has disappointed the man accusing McCarrick, as well as many other victims of clergy sexual abuse. The former cardinal continues to be seen by them as a symbol of evil within the Catholic Church. It should be noted that the Associated Press typically does not name those who report sexual assault unless they choose to be identified publicly.
The accuser in this case stated that McCarrick had close ties to his family when he was growing up, often attending family gatherings and going on vacations with them. The victim referred to McCarrick as Uncle Ted. Prosecutors alleged that the abuse occurred over several years, including an incident at the boy’s brother’s wedding reception at Wellesley College. The victim claimed that McCarrick also sexually assaulted him in a coatroom during the reception, instructing him to say prayers before leaving the room.
The dismissal of the case against Cardinal Theodore McCarrick due to his dementia diagnosis highlights the challenges that arise when addressing historical allegations of sexual assault. It also raises questions about the intersection of age-related mental decline and criminal justice proceedings. As the Catholic Church continues to grapple with the far-reaching impact of clergy sexual abuse, the resolution of cases involving high-ranking figures like McCarrick plays a crucial role in rebuilding trust and healing the wounds inflicted on survivors.
