Pop Francis accepts Cardinal Theodore McCsarrick's resignation amid sex scandal.

Former Archbishop removed from public ministry- Washington 

The retired Archbishop of Washington, D.C , has been removed from public ministry over allegations he sexually abused a teenager while a priest in NEW YORK more than 40years ago. (June 20) ap

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the former Washington, D.C Archbishop who faces allegations of Sexually abusing a minor 47 years ago when he was a priest in NEW YORK, the Vatican said in  a statement on Saturday. 

The statement said Francis received the U.S .prelates offer to resign from the college of Cardinals a day earlier. 

The pope ordered McCsarrick's suspension from the exercise of any public ministry and directed him to " a life of prayer and penance " until the accusations of Sexual misconduct are examined in a regular canonical trial.

 "While I have absolutely no recollection of this reported abuse , and believe in my innocence, I am sorry for the pain the person who brought the charges has gone through  , as well as the scandal such charges cause our people ", McCarrick said in a statement, .

While no additional allegations were found regarding abuse with minors, the review process did find allegations that the retired cardinal had engaged in sexual misconduct with adults while he served in NEW Jersey. 

As a result of charges that church officials called " credible and substantiated ", McCarrick stepped down from active ministry in June.  He is believed to the first cardinal to leave the active   ministry after allegations of Sexually abusing a minor. 

Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, archbishop emeritus of Washington, D.C lays hands on the most Rev . James Francis Checchio at his Episcopal ordination. 

At the time  of the alleged abuse, McCarrick was private secretary to Cardinal Terence Cooke, a position he held from 1971 to 1977, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of  New York.  The allegations were reported to law enforcement officials, and were Investigated by independent forensic agency.