Former cardinal charged following sexual assault allegations, pleads not guilty

A defrocked Roman Catholic cardinal was charged with several counts of indecent assault and battery after allegations surfaced that he sexually abused an adolescent. 

Former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, 91, was charged with three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14, according to The Boston Globe.

A “not guilty” plea was entered on his behalf by the court, The Associated Press reported.

The Globe noted that he is the highest ranking priest to receive charges.

A judge set the cardinal’s bail at $5,000, and he told McCarrick not come into contact with any minors or the alleged victim. The victim asked not to be publicly identified, and the next court hearing is set for Oct. 28.

“Today’s arraignment provides hope for many clergy sex abuse victims and survivors that justice will prevail, truth will be told and children will be kept safe,” the plaintiff’s attorney Mitchell Garabedian said, according to the AP.

A lawyer for Marrick declined to comment to The Hill.

A police report filed with the court said that the man told investigators in January McCarrick had sexually assaulted him in several states and had accompanied his families on trips, the Globe reported. 

The police report also stated that former cardinal was accused of sexually assaulting the victim in Massachusetts when he was 16 years old in 1974 at a wedding reception for his brother. 

In 2019, Pope Francis defrocked Marrick following an investigation by the Vatican that found he had sexually abused adults and minors, according to the AP.

Updated: 7:24 p.m.