National media outlets have spent the last several days covering accusations against Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, including allegations of sexual improprieties involving adults and criminal sexual abuse of minors. Such conduct, regardless of who commits it, is morally reprehensible and fundamentally incompatible with priestly, episcopal, or cardinal responsibilities.
These reports have caused me profound distress, as they have deeply affected many Catholics and the broader community. The Archdiocese of New York has investigated one case involving a minor and determined the accusation to be credible and substantiated. A second accusation concerning a minor remains under investigation. For the victims, their families, and the Church, these reports are profoundly damaging. Each additional report of clerical abuse reinforces concerns that the Church is not adequately confronting this crisis.
More than expressions of remorse are needed to address these cases and similar ones. They expose a significant deficiency in Church policy: when accusations target bishops or cardinals, procedures for handling sexual misconduct and abuse remain inadequate. Although the United States Church has implemented zero tolerance for priestly abuse of minors, comparable clarity is lacking for bishops. The Church must establish transparent, uniform procedures that serve justice for victims and acknowledge the community’s rightful outrage. A robust and thorough policy addressing bishops’ violations—whether involving celibacy vows, criminal abuse of minors, or misconduct with adults—is essential.
My involvement with multiple dioceses and my participation in the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors have informed this assessment. Swift and forceful Church action on these critical issues is imperative. In all cases where victims report sexual abuse—whether criminal acts or abuses of authority—victims and their families must be the primary consideration. These individuals deserve recognition for their courage in disclosing their experiences and must receive respectful, dignified treatment. Recent media coverage has also mentioned a June 2015 letter to me from Rev. Boniface Ramsey, O.P., which I did not directly receive. Following standard procedures for Pontifical Commission matters, staff reviewed the letter and determined its contents fell outside the Commission’s and the Archdiocese of Boston’s jurisdiction, a determination communicated to Fr. Ramsey.
Understandably, these accusations provoke widespread disappointment and anger. Given the Church’s two decades of experience with clerical sexual abuse, cases involving a cardinal warrant particular attention. I believe three urgent steps are necessary. First, swift and impartial resolution of these accusations; second, evaluation of whether our standards and policies—particularly those governing bishops—are sufficient; and third, better communication to the Catholic faithful and abuse victims about reporting procedures for allegations against bishops and cardinals. Neglecting these steps will further undermine the Church’s already compromised moral standing and erode the trust essential for the Church to serve Catholics and contribute meaningfully to society. At this critical juncture, the Church’s paramount obligation is accountability in addressing these matters, which I will raise with utmost urgency and gravity in my forthcoming discussions with the Holy See.