On June 20, 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 to exercise publicly his priestly ministry.
In light of these events, the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of The Catholic University of America, after due deliberation, voted unanimously to withdraw the honorary degree awarded to McCarrick in 2006. This is the first time The Catholic University of America has rescinded an honorary degree.
See the complete listing of honorary degrees on the University's website.
Between 1958 and 1965, the now-Archbishop McCarrick was, successively, a student (M.A. ‘60; Ph.D. ‘63), assistant chaplain, Dean of Students, and Director of Development at Catholic University. He also served several terms as a member of the Board of Trustees, and served as Chancellor of the University, 2000-06, when he was Archbishop of Washington.
The entire Catholic University community 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.
At the same time, we encourage any survivors of abuse to contact the Archdiocese of Washington and its Office of Child and Youth Protection, which offer resources and confidential support to any who have suffered from abuse and who seek help.
Phone: 301-853-5328
Web: https://adw.org/about-us/policies-and-resources/child-protection.
ABOUT: The Catholic University of America is the national university of the Catholic Church and the only higher education institution founded by the U.S. bishops. Established in 1887 as a papally chartered graduate and research center, the University comprises 12 schools and 29 research facilities and is home to 3,315 undergraduate and 2,708 graduate students.