enjoyed a spectacular career at the heart of washington and rome. when they were summoned to the vatican in 2002 at the beginning of the sex abuse scandal, cardinal mccarrick was the reassuring face of that scandal. i can t see how anyone in the united states today would cover up something like that. theodore mccarrick was created a cardinal in 2001 by john paul ii. an american priest wrote to the vatican to warn them of accusations that the cardinal was sexually abusing semin arianes. mccarrick was quietly advised not to travel or be seen in public. and lead a secret life in prayer and penance. a recommendation which the cardinal seemed to ignore. as he continued traveling and appearing in public, even at the