Rome (CNN) The Vatican has dismissed former US cardinal Theodore McCarrick after a Church trial found him guilty of sexually abusing minors. The judgement was recognized by the Pope to be of a "definitive nature," a Vatican statement said, and is "res iudicata" -- meaning it is no longer subject to appeal. McCarrick was informed of the decision on Friday. Allegations that McCarrick had sexually abused seminarians and an altar boy decades ago have prompted serious questions among Church leaders and observers as to why he was allowed to rise through the institution's ranks. A letter from a top Vatican official obtained by CNN last year appeared to acknowledge that the Holy See knew about the allegations for at least several months before McCarrick was elevated to cardinal in 2001.

Source: CNN February 16, 2019 09:20 UTC