Newark, N.J., Jul 30, 2018 / 13:11 pm
Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark responded Saturday to Archbishop Theodore McCarrick's resignation from the college of cardinals, which came amid numerous allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. Tobin called for continued accountability in addressing sexual abuse claims.
"This latest news is a necessary step for the Church to hold itself accountable for sexual abuse and harassment perpetrated by its ministers, no matter their rank," Tobin said in a statement.
He asked the faithful "to pray for all who may have been harmed by the former Cardinal, and to pray for him as well."
Pope Francis accepted Cardinal McCarrick's resignation from the College of Cardinals on Saturday. The pope directed McCarrick, the 88-year-old former Archbishop of Washington, to observe "a life of prayer and penance in seclusion" until the end of the canonical process against him.