Pope defrocks former Archbishop of Washington

Pope Francis defrocked former American Cardinal and Archbishop of Washington Theodore McCarick. The Vatican found him guilty of pedophilia and harassment, reports RTVI .

The Holy See recognized that McCarick violated the biblical sixth commandment ("thou shalt not commit adultery") with both minors and adults. In addition, he was accused of harassing parishioners during confession. Pope Francis confirmed that this decision is final and not subject to appeal. Kurt Martens, a professor of theology at the Catholic University of America, said McCarick's defrocking was "almost revolutionary." He added that now even bishops and former cardinals cannot go unpunished.

In July 2018, McCarick renounced the title of cardinal following allegations of sexual harassment. Francis accepted his resignation and advised him to "pray and repent". On August 20, Pope Francis admitted “with shame and repentance” that the Catholic Church had failed to protect children from violence by priests. The Pope's open letter included references to a Pennsylvania grand jury report on the suppression of pedophilia in the church.