Catholic Replies
Q. Regarding Cardinal McCarrick, who has been ordered by Pope Francis to conduct “a life of prayer and penance” before a Church trial is held, does anyone know exactly what that penance would be? Could McCarrick go to his confessor and seek absolution, like any other practicing Catholic? — J.G., Arizona. A. Yes, Cardinal McCarrick could go to his confessor and seek absolution, like any other Catholic, but we don’t know what an appropriate penance would be. We would hope that it would be something commensurate to the great harm he did to those he sexually abused and to the Church he betrayed not only with his immoral sexual predation, but also by running interference for pro-abortion Catholic politicians. His…Continue Reading