Vatican City, April 25, 2025 — The appointment of retired US Cardinal Roger Mahony to participate in the ceremonial closing of Pope Francis’ coffin has sparked outrage among advocates for victims of clergy sexual abuse. Mahony, the former archbishop of Los Angeles, is accused of mishandling abuse cases during his tenure from 1985 to 2011, allegations he has consistently denied.

Mahony, 89, is one of nine cardinals and dozens of other officials overseeing two special rites scheduled for Friday and Saturday, including the pope’s interment at Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major following his funeral in St. Peter’s Square. His involvement has drawn sharp criticism from groups tracking Catholic clergy abuse.

Advocates condemn Mahony’s participation

“Shame on him for participating in the public rites for Pope Francis, and shame on the College of Cardinals for allowing him to do so,” said Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of Bishop Accountability, an organization that has documented clergy abuse for decades. The group has long criticized Mahony for allegedly protecting accused priests.

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David Clohessy, former director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, echoed the sentiment, stating that Mahony’s role “sends the signal to complicit bishops that… they will still be protected and honored by their peers.” Clohessy argued the decision undermines efforts to hold church officials accountable.

A history of allegations

Mahony’s past came under scrutiny in 2013 when church files, released as part of a lawsuit, revealed that he and another official in the 1980s sent accused priests to psychiatrists known to be sympathetic to the church, allegedly shielding them from accountability.

Following the release, Mahony issued an apology, expressing regret “for my own failure to protect fully the children and youth entrusted into my care.” He maintained, however, that many Catholic officials at the time lacked understanding of how to address clergy abuse.

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The Los Angeles archdiocese, which serves approximately 4 million Catholics, reached a landmark $660 million civil settlement in 2007 with over 500 victims of child molestation. At the time, Mahony described the abuse as “a terrible sin and crime.”

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Archdiocese defends Mahony’s role

The controversy resurfaced in 2013 when Jose Gomez, the current archbishop of Los Angeles, initially stripped Mahony of all “administrative or public duties” in a rare public rebuke. Weeks later, Gomez reversed course, declaring Mahony a priest “in good standing” without elaborating on the change.

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The Los Angeles archdiocese defended Mahony’s participation in the papal rites, stating that Gomez’s 2013 statement had been “misinterpreted.” “We are blessed to have Cardinal Mahony represent our archdiocese in Rome for the funeral of our Holy Father,” the archdiocese said in a statement to Reuters.

Vatican cites seniority

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni explained on Thursday that the selection of cardinals for the funeral rites was based on their length of tenure. Mahony, one of the most senior-ranking cardinals worldwide, qualified under this criterion. However, due to his age, he is ineligible to vote in the upcoming papal conclave, which is restricted to cardinals under 80.

Broader context of mourning

The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of Pope Francis’ funeral, a moment of global reflection following his death. The pontiff, who appeared at St. Peter’s Basilica just days ago on April 20 to deliver the Urbi et Orbi blessing, has been mourned worldwide. Yet, the inclusion of Mahony in the rites has reignited debates about the Catholic Church’s handling of its abuse crisis.

As the Vatican prepares for the conclave to elect the next pope, the Mahony appointment serves as a stark reminder of the church’s ongoing struggle to reconcile its past with its present.

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