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  Mayor Urged to See Abuse Film

Press-Telegram
October 25, 2006

http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_4551015

Los Angeles - A coalition representing victims of clergy abuse asked Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Wednesday to distance himself from Cardinal Roger Mahony and watch a documentary about sexual abuse within the church.

The mayor's cordial relationship with Mahony sends the wrong message to children abused by priests, members of the group said outside City Hall.

"The mayor gives the cardinal more credibility - credibility the cardinal does not deserve," said James Robertson with Survivors of Silence.

"We ask that Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is the mayor of all citizens in Los Angeles, to please end his relationship with this renegade cardinal."

Inside, members gave a mayoral aide a copy of the documentary "Deliver Us From Evil," the story of former priest Oliver O'Grady, who allegedly abused hundreds of children in California over 20 years, including a period of time when Mahony was his superior in Stockton.

"We're going to ask (the mayor) to stop appearing with the cardinal because when he appears with the cardinal he grants him a level of municipal credibility," said abuse victim Tim Healey.

The mayor's office had no immediate comment. Representatives from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles could not be reached.

Group member Mary Jane McGraw said all parents should see "Deliver Us From Evil."

"This documentary is a wonderful educational film that should be seen by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Parents need to know the methods and the circumstances under which people of authority end up being able to abuse their children," McGraw said.

 
 

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