ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y., Sept. 10, 2018 — St. Bonaventure University’s Board of Trustees voted Friday to rescind an honorary degree awarded to former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, former archbishop emeritus of Washington.
In an announcement July 28 from the Vatican, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of McCarrick from the College of Cardinals, ordering him to a life of prayer and penance after credible allegations surfaced that the cardinal sexually abused minors and adults over the course of decades.
McCarrick was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters at St. Bonaventure’s Commencement ceremonies in May 2011.
“In voting to rescind the degree, St. Bonaventure’s trustees recognized that revocation of this honor does little to heal the deep and painful wounds McCarrick’s actions have caused, but we have an unwavering commitment to stand in solidarity with all survivors of sexual abuse,” Dr. Dennis R. DePerro, university president, said after the board’s fall campus meeting with university administrators.
St. Bonaventure University’s bylaws require that only the full Board of Trustees can rescind an honorary degree.
