US CARDINAL TAGGED IN SEX RAPS OVER DECADES
VIRGINIA— US Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, a former archbishop of Washington DC, sexually abused a man from Virginia for about two decades, the victim claimed on Friday.
The man, who agreed to be identified only by his first name, James, told The Associated Press he recently filed a police report detailing the abuse with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.
James, who first spoke publicly with The New York Times, said McCarrick was a close family friend and the abuse began when he was a child and continued into adulthood.
High ranking prelate
The 88-year-old retired archbishop of Washington DC is one of the highest-ranking US church officials accused in a sexual abuse scandal that has seen thousands of priests implicated.
“I was the first guy he baptized,” James said. “I was his little boy. I was his special kid. I was the kid he always sought out.”
McCarrick, who did not im- mediately respond to an interview request from AP, has denied the abuse allegations that led to his removal last month by Pope Francis.
Second set of charges
The church announced June 20 that allegations were found to be “credible” that McCarrick fondled an altar boy in New York more than 40 years ago.
In a statement issued at the time of his removal, McCarrick said, “While I have absolutely no recollection of this reported abuse, and believe in my innocence, I am sorry for the pain the person who brought the charges has gone through, as well as for the scandal such charges cause our people.”
‘You’re an idiot’
James recounted confronting McCarrick as an adult, telling him he was going to go public with his allegations.
“You can’t do that,” James says McCarrick told him. “No one’s going to believe you. You’re a drunk. You’re an idiot… Do you know how important I am?”
James said he included in his police report the incidents he considers most “disgusting,” which he says took place in several different states.
James’ attorney, Patrick Noaker, provided APwith a document from the sheriff’s office confirming that a police report had been taken.