Former Cardinal McCarrick Found Unfit for Trial Over Sexual Abuse
Former Cardinal McCarrick Found Unfit for Trial Over Sexual Abuse The New York Times
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Theodore McCarrick Ruled Incompetent to Stand Trial in Massachusetts
The 93-year-old former prelate is the most senior cleric to face charges in the Catholic Church’s abuse crisis.
Theodore McCarrick, the highest-ranking Catholic cleric in the United States to face charges in the church’s ongoing sexual abuse crisis, has been ruled incompetent to stand trial by a judge in Massachusetts.
Mr. McCarrick faced three counts of indecent assault and battery in Massachusetts, based on an accusation that he repeatedly sexually assaulted a teenage boy at a family wedding reception in 1974. The charges in Massachusetts were seen as a milestone in victims’ efforts to hold abusers in Catholic settings accountable. Successful prosecutions have been relatively rare due to the passage of time since most of the alleged assaults took place.
Mr. McCarrick pleaded not guilty in the Massachusetts case in 2021. However, a judge ruled him unfit to stand trial after a forensic psychologist employed by the state, Kerry Nelligan, assessed him and found significant cognitive problems and deficits of memory and ability to retain information.
Advocates for victims of clerical abuse expressed disappointment about the ruling, as a conviction of a cardinal in the Catholic Church in the United States would have been a landmark decision.
Mr. McCarrick was once one of the most prominent clerics in the U.S. Catholic Church, serving as archbishop of Newark and then of Washington, D.C. He was made a cardinal in 2001 and was known for his fundraising efforts for the Vatican.
The complaint in Massachusetts stated that the assaults took place outdoors at the victim’s brother’s wedding reception at Wellesley College. It alleged that Mr. McCarrick assaulted the victim after asking to take a walk to discuss his “mischievous” behavior. A second assault occurred inside a coat room near the reception area.
Mr. McCarrick also faces a criminal sexual assault charge in Wisconsin for an accusation from the same victim. He was expelled from the church in 2019 after a Vatican trial found him guilty of sexually abusing minors and adult seminarians over several decades.
Background
Charges and Significance
Competency Ruling
Reaction and Disappointment
McCarrick’s Background
Details of the Allegations
Other Charges and Expulsion from the Church
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 5: Gender Equality
The article discusses the ongoing sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, which involves the abuse of women and girls. SDG 5 aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in both public and private spheres.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article highlights the efforts to hold abusers in Catholic settings accountable for their crimes. SDG 16 focuses on promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions, including ending abuse, exploitation, and violence against children and developing effective and transparent institutions.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres
The article mentions the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, which involves the abuse of women and girls. Target 5.2 aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, including sexual abuse.
Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
The article discusses the ongoing sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, which involves the abuse of children. Target 16.2 aims to end all forms of violence against children, including abuse and exploitation.
Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels
The article highlights the efforts to hold abusers in Catholic settings accountable for their crimes. Target 16.6 aims to develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels, including within the Catholic Church, to address issues of abuse and ensure justice.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
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Source: nytimes.com
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