‘It’s crushing’: Survivors react to McCarrick abuse report

RICHMOND (VA)
Associated Press

November 12, 2020

By Sarah Rankin

[Includes brief video statements by James Grein, Mitchell Garabedian, and Jeffrey Anderson (about “Priest 3”)].

Men who have come forward with allegations of abuse by former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick expressed disgust, frustration and outrage after an internal Vatican report outlined what was known about the clergyman’s behavior — and what was ignored.

“It was very emotional to read. It was very emotional because there were so many opportunities to stop him. So many opportunities to stop him. And maybe my life would be different, maybe I wouldn’t be a victim if someone had,” said John Bellocchio, a New Jersey man who has sued both McCarrick and the Holy See, alleging the prelate abused him in the 1990s when he was a teenager.

In interviews with The Associated Press, Bellocchio and others demanded that the Vatican institute changes to ensure…