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Petition Launched to Remove Cdl. Roger Mahony
News: US News
Catholics want Mahony removed from active ministry and put behind bars
LOS ANGELES (Church Militant.com) - A petition is underway to remove Cdl. Roger Mahony's red hat, withdraw him from active ministry and criminally charge him with covering for 34 alleged clerical sex abusers.
A petition to hold Cdl. Mahony accountable for the abuse of some 500 victims by 34 clerics under his tenure as archbishop of Los Angeles has already garnered more than 5,000 signatures. Clerical sex abuse that Mahony covered up for years has cost the archdiocese more than $600 million, causing petitioners to question Pope Francis' so-called zero-tolerance policy.
John Paul Norris, who recently launched the petition, told Church Militant that Cdl. Mahony "controls the gay mafia and he needs to go."
Norris is planning a protest on Sunday, Sept. 16 outside of Mahony's residence at St. Charles Borromeo Church in North Hollywood. He told Church Militant that one of their organizers met on Tuesday with Margaret Graf, general counsel for the archdiocese, and said Abp. José Gómez won't censor Mahony.
"Archbishop Gomez and the [LA] archdiocese are doing nothing about it," he said. "Mahony will continue to celebrate masses, sacraments and consecrate the Eucharist because he is a 'priest in good standing' (never mind 500 people that were abused under his watch)."
Check out Church Militant's #CatholicMeToo coverage.
- Archbishop Gómez and his auxiliary bishops must remove Mahony from active ministry or resign
- Pope Francis must remove Mahony from the College of Cardinals
- Father Jose Magaña, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo, must expel Mahony from the premises
- LA's police chief, Michael Moore, and LA's district attorney, Jackie Lacey, must charge Mahony with hiding sex abusers
In Penal Code 32 PC, California law defines "accessory after the fact" as harboring, concealing or aiding a person whom you know has committed a felony, in order to protect him or her from arrest, trial, conviction and/or sentencing. There is no statute of limitation involving child abuse and the majority of Mahony's crimes came to light in 2013.
Mahony knowingly harbored, concealed or aided many criminals. He knew of their crimes. He knew of their victims. Instead of calling the police, he manipulated information, moved these criminals from parish to parish and allowed the crimes to continue. He directed priests to hide and leave the Los Angeles jurisdiction and the country to avoid criminal prosecution.
"My predecessor, retired Cardinal Roger Mahony, has expressed his sorrow for his failure to fully protect young people entrusted to his care. Effective immediately, I have informed Cardinal Mahony that he will no longer have any administrative or public duties."
We pray for good and courageous bishops, priests and others who will speak the truth for the love of all souls. Special prayers to all the survivors of sexual abuse, especially those abused by members of the clergy. May our united action and prayers bring justice, healing, and trust back to our Catholic Church.
