The participation of Cardinal Roger M. Mahony in Pope Francis’ funeral underscores ongoing concerns within the Catholic Church regarding accountability and transparency.
Cardinal Mahony's Role at Pope Francis' Funeral Sparks Controversy
Cardinal Mahony's Role at Pope Francis' Funeral Sparks Controversy
Amidst allegations of past misconduct, Cardinal Mahony will officiate key moments during the late Pope's funeral.
Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, the former archbishop of Los Angeles, has been named to play an official role during the funeral ceremonies for Pope Francis, who passed away recently. This decision has raised eyebrows due to Mahony's controversial history of allegedly covering up priest sexual abuse cases during his tenure, which lasted from 1985 until his retirement in 2011.
Mahony will assist with the closing of Pope Francis’ casket at St. Peter’s Basilica scheduled for Friday evening, followed by the pope's burial at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore on Saturday. According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, the selection of cardinals to participate is based on their seniority.
The troubling legacy of Cardinal Mahony involves internal church documents from 2013 that revealed his involvement in shielding abusive priests from repercussions and obstructing justice by withholding crucial evidence from law enforcement. Victims have long criticized the actions taken under his leadership, especially regarding the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which has faced monumental financial settlements concerning abuse claims. In 2007, the archdiocese agreed to pay a staggering $660 million to resolve claims from over 500 victims, marking it as the largest settlement of its kind. More recently, another settlement totaling $880 million was reached for claims from 1,353 victims.
As Pope Francis' funeral approaches, Mahony's role continues to stir discussions about the church's ongoing struggle with addressing past abuses and ensuring accountability among its highest ranks.
Mahony will assist with the closing of Pope Francis’ casket at St. Peter’s Basilica scheduled for Friday evening, followed by the pope's burial at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore on Saturday. According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, the selection of cardinals to participate is based on their seniority.
The troubling legacy of Cardinal Mahony involves internal church documents from 2013 that revealed his involvement in shielding abusive priests from repercussions and obstructing justice by withholding crucial evidence from law enforcement. Victims have long criticized the actions taken under his leadership, especially regarding the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which has faced monumental financial settlements concerning abuse claims. In 2007, the archdiocese agreed to pay a staggering $660 million to resolve claims from over 500 victims, marking it as the largest settlement of its kind. More recently, another settlement totaling $880 million was reached for claims from 1,353 victims.
As Pope Francis' funeral approaches, Mahony's role continues to stir discussions about the church's ongoing struggle with addressing past abuses and ensuring accountability among its highest ranks.
