Pope defrocks ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick over abuse claims

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

A former Roman Catholic archbishop and cardinal has been dismissed from the priesthood after the Vatican found him guilty of sexually abusing minors in a sign of an increasingly hardline stance taken by the church.

Theodore McCarrick, 88, one of the prominent figures in the church, was defrocked just days before an unprecedented global summit of bishops to discuss child sexual abuse is convened by the Vatican.

The Vatican’s move makes McCarrick the most senior figure to be removed from the priesthood in modern times. He will no longer be permitted to act as a cleric, and is forbidden to celebrate the sacraments except to grant absolution for sins to a person close to death. Only excommunication is a more severe punishment.

Pope Francis has approved the action as “definitive”, meaning McCarrick will not be allowed to appeal, the Vatican said on Saturday.

-snip-

Harriet Sherwood Religion correspondent
Sat 16 Feb 2019 11.18 GMT


Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/16/pope-defrocks-ex-cardinal-theodore-mccarrick-over-abuse-claims

[PJMcK]

1. Too little too late

The criminality in the Catholic Church is as corrupt as the Republican Party.

[vlyons]

2. Cry me a river

Finally, a powerful prelate takes a fall. Does his mean that the Roman Catholic Church is going to clean the filth out of the stables? Maybe a corner of a stall, here or there. But let's face it, the Catholic Church is not likely to ever purge the pedophiles and abusers from its ranks, so long as women are denied ordination.

[UrbScotty]

3. Good. The Church takes this much more seriously than its critics want us to believe. (nt)

[SunSeeker]

4. Better late than never I guess. nt

[3Hotdogs]

5. He won't be able to celebrate no more masses no more. That'l fix 'im.

[diverdownjt]

7. He had sex with kids???

Why the f*$k is he not in jail?????

[3Hotdogs]

9. Statute of Limitations.

[47of74]

6. Good

[Drahthaardogs]

8. He did not de-frock him, he ex-communicated him

The Pope has called the archbishops to Rome for two weeks to address the Church sex scandals.

We will see what the outcome is. Hopefully Francis says "no more protection for priests" and a policy of turning them into law enforcement is adopted.

Anything less is too little.