Theodore McCarrick Has Died: Justice, Mercy, and the Work Still Ahead

Faith Hakesley

The news of the death of disgraced ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick brings with it a flood of emotions for many, especially survivors of clerical abuse. McCarrick’s crimes and the extensive damage he caused—to victims, to the Church, to the faithful—cannot be overstated. He abused his power, manipulated countless lives, and for far too long, evaded the justice he deserved.

Earthly justice was never served in his case. That is a painful reality. It’s tempting to feel anger rise up and to assume McCarrick is now “rotting in hell.” However, as Christians we are called to something greater than our instincts for bitterness and vengeance. We are called to leave true justice in the hands of Almighty God. Only He sees the full picture. Only He knows every heart and can judge every soul.

We are also called to forgive as Christ has forgiven us. Remember that He did not die for a select few. He died for every single one of us. That (and I know this can be difficult to accept) includes people like Theodore McCarrick.

This doesn’t mean we excuse, diminish, or forget what McCarrick did. Of course not! It means we acknowledge the gravity of sin while entrusting its ultimate judgment to the Lord. It also means we pray for his soul. It’s difficult. Jesus never said it would be otherwise. But it is part of the radical call of the Gospel: to pray for our enemies and to love even when it hurts.

That said, we must continue to pray for and support his victims. So many are grieving again in a new way. For many, this brings back intense pain. For those whose cases were directly impacted by McCarrick’s manipulation and influence, this is a particularly hard time. Let us hold them close in prayer and do everything in our power to support them. We must not do so only in words but also in action.

Also, we must not forget that though McCarrick is gone, many of those who enabled him are still very much alive. Friends, colleagues, superiors—some turned blind eyes while others outright protected him. There are some church leaders who were elevated despite protecting him. They helped cover up his crimes, silenced victims, and ensured that his power remained intact far longer than it should have. While McCarrick may never have faced earthly justice, there is still time to pursue accountability for those who protected him and allowed his abuse to continue.

We cannot allow any predator’s death to be the end of the conversation. In many ways, it must mark a new beginning and a renewed commitment to truth, justice, transparency, and above all, the healing and protection of victims.

To those who suffer: I see you. I stand with you. You matter, and your pain matters. We may not receive all the justice we hope for in this life, but we can still be part of something holy—a restoration of integrity and mercy in the Church, and a tireless commitment to standing with survivors.

The work is not over. Let’s allow McCarrick’s death to shape us with courage, compassion, and the truth of Christ.