Defrocked McCarrick Pleads ‘Not Guilty’

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TRANSCRIPT

It's been a long time coming, and there is still a long way to go, but, on Friday, disgraced former cardinal Theodore McCarrick was finally trapped in the slow-moving wheels of justice. Church Militant's Kristine Christlieb reports on the first step in bringing closure for one victim.

In a suburban Boston criminal court, Theodore McCarrick pleaded "not guilty" to three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14. The once-powerful and charismatic former cardinal shuffled up the handicap ramp to the courtroom and faced his accuser.

The arraignment lasted less than 10 minutes and is the first step in bringing McCarrick to justice. The court ordered McCarrick to pay $5,000 cash bail, stay away from his accuser, have no contact with any children under 18, not travel outside the United States, surrender his passport, notify the court of any change of address and see the probation department before he left the court. 

Following the proceeding, Anne Barrett Doyle made a statement on behalf of BishopAccountability.org. 

Anne Barrett Doyle: "Today marks a new phase in the global struggle to hold bishops accountable."

One victim expressed his hope that McCarrick's case will make a difference.

Skip Shea, clergy abuse victim:  "I think there seems to be a shift in the approach of law enforcement. You know — this is the state that let Cdl. Law get away."

McCarrick was escorted from the court and will be returning to the Vianney Renewal Center in rural Dittmer, Missouri. Known as "Club Ped," the center has been home to some of the Church's most dangerous pedophile priests. McCarrick's arraignment was about the abuse of one individual, but concerned Catholics see it was also about Theodore McCarrick's career of spreading evil throughout the Catholic Church.

Bishop Accountability named six other American bishops who've been accused of criminal acts.

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