Former US Cardinal McCarrick ruled not competent to face Wisconsin sex abuse trial
Judge David Reddy has ruled that former Cardinal McCarrick is not competent to face trial in Wisconsin for sexual abuse allegations. This decision comes after a Massachusetts judge dismissed the only other sexual assault case against McCarrick in August. McCarrick, who was defrocked by Pope Francis in 2019, faced child sex abuse charges in these cases, becoming the only current or former US Catholic cardinal to do so. The Wisconsin judge, however, stated that he did not have the authority to dismiss the case. McCarrick’s alleged victim will continue seeking justice through civil cases in New York and New Jersey. Prosecutors and defense lawyers have refrained from commenting on the matter.
McCarrick was expelled from the priesthood in 2019 after a Vatican investigation found him guilty of sexual crimes against minors and adults. A Vatican report released in November 2020 revealed that McCarrick had risen through the ranks despite rumors of sexual misconduct, and Pope John Paul II had promoted him despite knowing the allegations.
Both the Massachusetts and Wisconsin cases involved the same alleged victim, who claimed that McCarrick sexually abused him over several years beginning in 1969. The incidents included a wedding in Massachusetts in 1974 and a stay at a Wisconsin cabin on Geneva Lake in 1977, where McCarrick served as a family friend.
The Massachusetts case was dismissed after a psychologist concluded that McCarrick had dementia and significant memory deficits, rendering him unable to participate in his defense meaningfully. Following the dismissal, the Wisconsin judge appointed the same psychologist to conduct a competency examination based on Wisconsin law.
Despite the dismissal of the criminal cases, McCarrick’s alleged victim remains determined to seek justice through civil cases in New York and New Jersey. Mitchell Garabedian, the lawyer representing the victim in both cases, called him a courageous survivor of clergy sexual abuse.
McCarrick’s lawyer has chosen not to comment on the recent ruling, and prosecutors have yet to respond to requests for comment.
The ruling in Wisconsin marks a significant development in the legal proceedings against Cardinal McCarrick. The allegations and subsequent legal actions have shed light on the systemic issue of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and brought attention to the need for justice and accountability.
As the case continues to unfold, the focus now shifts to the civil cases in New York and New Jersey, where the alleged victim will persist in seeking justice outside the realm of criminal proceedings.
The ruling highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their positions of power or influence. It serves as a reminder that survivors of abuse should be supported and their voices heard as they strive for justice and healing. The fight against clergy sexual abuse continues, urging the Catholic Church and society as a whole to address this pervasive issue and work towards preventing future incidents.
