On June 20th 2018 the Archdiocese of New York reported that it had received and investigated allegations that Cardinal Theodore McCarrick sexually abused a minor when he served as a priest of the Archdiocese some 40 years ago. The Archdiocese concluded that the allegations were “credible and substantiated.”

The Archdiocese further reported that the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, at the direction of Pope Francis, had instructed Cardinal McCarrick no longer exercise publicly his priestly ministry.

“While Caritas in Veritate recognizes that Archbishop McCarrick maintains his innocence, and CiV respects not only the rights of those involved but also the adjudicatory process itself, and in view of the fact that the Archdiocese of Newark and the Diocese of Metuchen received three allegations of sexual misconduct with adults decades ago; and two of these allegations resulted in settlements, Caritas in Veritate Board unanimously agree to withdraw the award given to former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick in 2017.

The entire Caritas in Veritate CiV Global acknowledges the tragedy of sexual abuse at the hands of clergy, and the deep and lasting pain and suffering of survivors. We offer our prayers and pastoral support for the survivors, that they and their families encounter healing and peace.

CiV Board of Directors 

October 6th, 2018, Washington DC