Loading...
Inside the VaticanNovember 18, 2020
Then-Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington faces the press in the shadow of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 24, 2002. U.S cardinals met for a summit with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican April 23-24, 2002, as the sex abuse crisis unfolded in the United States. Cardinal McCarrick was a key spokesman for the bishops during the summit. (CNS photo/Paolo Cocco, Reuters)

Last week, the Vatican released its report on how former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick was able to rise through the ranks of the church hierarchy despite rumors swirling about him abusing priests, seminarians, and minors.

Listen and subscribe to “Inside the Vatican” on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Now, survivors and advocates in countries like Poland, Chile and Mexico want detailed Vatican reports on sexual abuse in their countries to be published, too. “Many people are saying, ‘We’ve had the McCarrick report, now let’s have the Maciel report,’” explains Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell, referring to the notoriously abusive priest, Father Marcial Maciel Degollado, founder of the Legionaries of Christ.

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and host Colleen Dulle look at the ripple effects the McCarrick report has had in the United States and around the world.

The two also discuss whether the Vatican can go back to normal after such an unprecedented disclosure of its inner workings. On one hand, Pope Francis has laid the legal framework for investigating anonymous abuse claims and investigating bishops, and he has now set a precedent for disclosing information about how bishops are appointed. On the other hand, he faced internal resistance to publishing the McCarrick report, and many bishops would prefer to continue business as usual. Will the calls for greater transparency and accountability coming from around the world be heeded?

Links from the show:

We don’t have comments turned on everywhere anymore. We have recently relaunched the commenting experience at America and are aiming for a more focused commenting experience with better moderation by opening comments on a select number of articles each day.

But we still want your feedback. You can join the conversation about this article with us in social media on Twitter or Facebook, or in one of our Facebook discussion groups for various topics.

Or send us feedback on this article with one of the options below:

The latest from america

In this interview, Cardinal Gracias speaks about the election of Leo XIV, his membership in Pope Francis’ council of cardinal advisors and why he considers Francis a saint.
Gerard O’ConnellMay 28, 2025
A Homily for the Solemnity of the Ascension, by Father Terrance Klein
Terrance KleinMay 28, 2025
Pope Leo XIV's offer to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine was motivated by a conviction that the two sides must start negotiating and stop the killing, the Vatican secretary of state said.
Rev. Paul Nicholson, S.J., begins his homily for the Ascension with a striking image from Medieval art: Jesus’ feet dangling in the air, his body swallowed by clouds.
PreachMay 27, 2025