A cardinal previously removed from public duties over his handling of child sexual abuse cases has been selected to close Pope Francis’ coffin, sparking outrage among abuse survivors and reform advocates.
At a Glance
- Cardinal Roger Mahony, 89, who was relieved of official duties in 2013 for mishandling clerical abuse cases, will participate in Pope Francis’ funeral ceremonies
- Mahony led the Los Angeles archdiocese from 1985-2011, during which time records showed he failed to remove accused priests and didn’t cooperate with law enforcement
- The Los Angeles archdiocese has paid over $1.5 billion in settlements related to abuse cases, including $660 million in 2007 and $880 million last year
- Pope Francis’ papacy was marked by criticism from survivors’ groups for insufficient action on abuse despite public statements and policy changes
Controversial Cardinal Returns to Vatican Role
Cardinal Roger Mahony, the retired Archbishop of Los Angeles who was stripped of public duties in 2013 over his handling of sexual abuse cases, has been tapped for a prominent role in Pope Francis’ funeral ceremonies. According to Vatican officials, Mahony will participate in closing the pontiff’s coffin due to his position as the most senior cardinal priest available for the ceremonies.
The 89-year-old cardinal led the Los Angeles archdiocese from 1985 to 2011. His successor, Archbishop Jose Gomez, relieved him of administrative and public duties after records revealed Mahony and his vicar had failed to remove accused priests and did not properly cooperate with law enforcement investigations. Despite this, Gomez has maintained that Mahony remains a “priest in good standing.”
Financial Impact of Abuse Scandals
The Los Angeles archdiocese has faced enormous financial consequences from the clerical abuse scandal, with settlements totaling more than $1.5 billion. This includes $660 million paid in 2007 and an additional $880 million last year. The archdiocese’s handling of abuse cases under Mahony’s leadership resulted in one of the largest financial settlements by any diocese in the United States.
Mahony was also previously accused of mishandling an abuser priest case during his time as Bishop of Stockton before his appointment to Los Angeles. Despite these controversies, the Holy See has confirmed his participation alongside other senior cardinals including Giovanni Battista Re and Pietro Parolin in the papal funeral rites.
Pope Francis’ Legacy on Abuse Response
Pope Francis’ decade-long papacy was marked by ongoing challenges related to the Church’s response to clerical sexual abuse. While he took certain steps toward reform, including a 2019 summit on clerical sexual abuse and decrees requiring church officials to report abuse internally, survivor advocacy groups consistently criticized his administration for insufficient action and accountability.
Francis faced significant backlash during his papacy, including for initially defending Chilean Bishop Juan Barros against abuse coverup allegations before later accepting mass resignations from Chilean bishops. His 2018 trip to Ireland was marked by protests from abuse survivors, highlighting the ongoing damage to the Church’s reputation and credibility on these issues.
Looking Forward to the Next Papacy
While Pope Francis ordered reforms for addressing clerical sexual abuse during his tenure, many of the implementation details are expected to fall to his successor. Survivor groups are closely watching the upcoming conclave, demanding the next pope establish and enforce a zero-tolerance policy for both abuse and its concealment.
Advocacy organizations including the Survivors’ Network of those Abused by Priests (Snap) and Ending Clergy Abuse have expressed disappointment in Francis’s handling of the abuse crisis, citing insufficient transparency and accountability. The appointment of Mahony to a ceremonial role in the papal funeral has only reinforced these concerns about the Church’s commitment to meaningful reform.
