The upcoming funeral of Pope Francis has ignited discussions about the Church's handling of past sexual abuse cases, particularly due to the involvement of Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, accused of covering up such abuses during his tenure.
Pope Francis Funeral Controversy: Cardinal Mahony's Role Sparks Debate
Pope Francis Funeral Controversy: Cardinal Mahony's Role Sparks Debate
Cardinal Roger Mahony’s participation in Pope Francis's funeral highlights ongoing tensions surrounding accountability in the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, a prominent figure of the Roman Catholic Church and former archbishop of Los Angeles, is set to play an official role in Pope Francis’s funeral, specifically in the casket closing ceremony and the burial at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. This announcement has reopened the dialogue concerning the Catholic Church's ongoing struggle with sexual abuse scandals that have plagued its structure in recent decades.
Mahony, now 89, served as the archbishop from 1985 to 2011, and in the years following his retirement, numerous internal documents revealed his involvement in systematically concealing cases of sexual misconduct by priests. In 2013, the disclosure of these files during a civil lawsuit shed light on the manner in which Mahony and his associates endeavored to shield abusive priests from repression and collaboration with law enforcement to hide evidence of abuse.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles stands as the largest diocese in the U.S., and has faced significant repercussions regarding these abuses. Notably, the Archdiocese faced a $660 million settlement in 2007 for claims from over 500 victims—the highest at that time—and last year reached a further agreement to pay an $880 million settlement for claims from 1,353 individuals.
The decision to include Mahony in the funeral rites reflects the Vatican's seniority-based selection criteria for participating cardinals. However, it raises questions regarding the Church's accountability and the lasting impact of its history with sexual abuse, which continues to haunt its reputation. The participation of a figure implicated in such controversies at a historic funeral emphasizes the complexities and tensions within the Catholic Church as it navigates its past while commemorating its nearly eight-year leader.
Mahony, now 89, served as the archbishop from 1985 to 2011, and in the years following his retirement, numerous internal documents revealed his involvement in systematically concealing cases of sexual misconduct by priests. In 2013, the disclosure of these files during a civil lawsuit shed light on the manner in which Mahony and his associates endeavored to shield abusive priests from repression and collaboration with law enforcement to hide evidence of abuse.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles stands as the largest diocese in the U.S., and has faced significant repercussions regarding these abuses. Notably, the Archdiocese faced a $660 million settlement in 2007 for claims from over 500 victims—the highest at that time—and last year reached a further agreement to pay an $880 million settlement for claims from 1,353 individuals.
The decision to include Mahony in the funeral rites reflects the Vatican's seniority-based selection criteria for participating cardinals. However, it raises questions regarding the Church's accountability and the lasting impact of its history with sexual abuse, which continues to haunt its reputation. The participation of a figure implicated in such controversies at a historic funeral emphasizes the complexities and tensions within the Catholic Church as it navigates its past while commemorating its nearly eight-year leader.
