Cardinal Mahony's Priest Abuse Defense Sparks Criticism

Los Angeles Times
February 2, 2013

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2013/02/cardinal-mahonys-priest-abuse-defense-sparks-criticism.html

[DOCUMENT: Read Mahony's letter ...]

As Cardinal Roger M. Mahony defended his handling of the priest abuse scandal on Friday, some activists said Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez's decision to relieve him of all public duties doesn't go far enough.

Mahony posted the letter, addressed to Gomez, on his blog Friday afternoon. In the letter, he outlined the steps his administration had taken to address the priest abuse scandal and to create policies to prevent further such abuse.

Addressing Gomez, Mahony wrote: "When you were formally received as our archbishop on May 26, 2010, you began to become aware of all that had been done here over the years for the protection of children and youth. You became our official archbishop on March 1, 2011, and you were personally involved with the compliance audit of 2012 — again, in which we were deemed to be in full compliance.

[Updated at 3:17 p.m.: Gomez issued another statement Friday afternoon: It read: "Questions from the faithful and some members of the news media indicate that it would be helpful for me to clarify the status of Cardinal Roger Mahony and Bishop Thomas Curry.

Cardinal Mahony, as Archbishop Emeritus, and Bishop Curry, as Auxiliary Bishop, remain bishops in good standing in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, with full rights to celebrate the Holy Sacraments of the Church and to minister to the faithful without restriction."]