Cardinal McCarrick’s faulty memory

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Jun 21, 2018

As he revealed that he had been accused of sexual abuse, Cardinal McCarrick made an interesting protestation of innocence: “While I have absolutely no recollection of this reported abuse…”

The accusation, which a review board found credible, occurred almost fifty years ago, the cardinal reported. So it would be asking too much to expect precise memories. Still… Well, let me illustrate.

Imagine that I made statements along the following lines:

1. Gee, that was almost fifty years ago! I have absolutely no recollection of…
   • …seeing Hannah Arendt interviewed on television.
   • …watching my little brother play blackgammon.
   • …swimming in the neighbor’s pool at midnight.
2. Gee, that was almost fifty years ago! I have absolutely no recollection of…
   • …being chosen 3rd in the NBA draft.
   • …redesigning the Rolls-Royce aircraft engine.
   • …accompanying Joan Sutherland on the piano.
3. Gee, that was almost fifty years ago! I have absolutely no recollection of…
   • …being chased by a leopard.
   • …riding in the co-pilot’s seat of my friend’s Cessna.
   • …going out for drinks with Catherine Deneuve.

The statements in the 1st category involve things that I don’t specifically recall, but could possibly have occurred. My memory could be shown faulty, by someone’s diary or a fortuitous home-movie clip.

The statements in the 2nd category involve things that could not possibly have happened to me; they are constitutionally impossible.

The statements in the 3rd category involve things that could theoretically have occurred, but if they had, I would most certainly not have forgotten them.

So, your Eminence, in which category do you wish us to place your failure of memory?