Ten-Minute Activist: Phone Call or Brief Email Accused Priests Are Saying Mass in LA Parishes In the Los Angeles archdiocese, at least eight priests facing civil suits for child molestation continue to serve in parishes. By keeping these men in ministry, Cardinal Roger Mahony is violating the “zero tolerance” promise of the Dallas Charter and risking the safety of children. A public outcry is needed. Please contact the Los Angeles district attorney, write a brief message to the LA Times, and/or contact Kathleen McChesney to express your concern. You can make a difference.

Important Facts

* Accused priests in ministry: According to SNAP, the following LA priests actively serve today while facing civil lawsuits for sexually abusing minors. For these and several other priests, see William Lobdell and Jean Guccione, 10 Priests in Lawsuits Still on Job. Information on the priests is provided in the linked articles below. Four were named in a sexual abuse collusion suit filed on December 17, 2003 in Los Angeles Superior Court.

- Msgr. Joe Alzugaray, St. Apollinaris, Napa CA - see general collusion article and summary of court filing

- Fr. Michael Carroll, St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Church, Walnut CA - see article on Carroll, a brief profile of him, and the LA Times article on the 10 priests

- Fr. Edward Dober, Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Paramount CA - see brief profile of Dober, the LA Times article on the 10 priests, the general collusion article, and a summary of the court filing

- Fr. Walter Fernando, Pasadena CA - see article on Fernando, a profile of him, and the LA Times article on the 10 priests

- Fr. James Ford, Santa Barbara CA - see a profile of Ford and the LA Times article on 10 priests

- Msgr. Richard Loomis, St. Felicitas and Perpetua Church, San Marino CA - see a profile of Loomis, the LA Times article on the 10 priests, the general collusion article, and a summary of the court filing in the collusion case

- Fr. Richard Martini, Los Angeles CA - see a profile of Martini, the LA Times article on 10 priests, the general collusion article, and a summary of the court filing in the collusion case

- Msgr. Patrick Reilly, Burbank CA - see an article on Reilly, a profile of him, and the LA Times article on the 10 priests

* The Norms Require Removal: “When there is sufficient evidence that sexual abuse of a minor has occurred, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith shall be notified. The bishop/eparch shall then apply the precautionary measures mentioned in CIC, canon 1722, or CCEO, canon 1473—i.e., remove the accused from the sacred ministry or from any ecclesiastical office or function, impose or prohibit residence in a given place or territory, and prohibit public participation in the Most Holy Eucharist pending the outcome of the process.” (art. 6)


How SNAP Is Responding

The survivors’ advocacy group will be handing out leaflets at six parishes this weekend, reaching out to victims who have not come forward and warning church-goers that their priests are being sued for sexually abusing children.


How You Can Help

1. Contact the office of Steve Cooley, Los Angeles District Attorney.
Mr. Cooley is an elected public prosecutor committed to protecting children. Register your concern that credibly accused priests are continuing to say Mass and hear confessions in LA parishes. Ask that he urge Cardinal Mahony to remove the alleged abusers from ministry now.

Contact info for the office of Steve Cooley, Los Angeles District Attorney:
* Phone: (213) 974-3512.
* Email: lada@co.la.ca.us
* Fax: (213) 974-1484.
* Easy email option: Click to fill in a simple online form.
* Please let us know if you call or write.

2. Express your concern to the LA Times in a brief letter to the editor.
* Send via email.
* Click for more info.
* Please let us know if you send a letter.
* Click here for SNAP's helpful guide to writing letters to the editor and contacting your local newspaper.

3. Express your anger to Kathleen McChesney, director of the USCCB's Office of Child and Youth Protection.
It is Dr. McChesney's job to protect children from predatory priests by making sure that bishops comply with their own Charter. Ask her to tell Cardinal Mahony that he must suspend these accused priests from active service now.
* Phone: (202) 541-5413
* Email: kmcchesney@usccb.org

Previous Ten-Minute Activist Features

* Bishop Admits That He Is Keeping an Accused Priest in Ministry (12/5/03)
* Audit the Audit: USCCB Audit Needs Local Perspectives (1/9-16/04)
* Join the Dialogue among NY Priests and Bishops (1/23/04)
* Statute of Limitations: Help Reform the Indiana Law (1/30/04)