Letters: The fallen cardinal

Re “Mahony relieved of duties,” Feb. 1

Let me see if I’ve got this right.

On April 6, 2010, Jose Gomez became the coadjutor archbishop of Los Angeles. Until last week, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles did everything it could to prevent full access to its records of child abuse. After years, the church exhausted all legal procedures and released the records. On Thursday, Gomez stripped his predecessor, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, of his public duties and issued a public apology. Does he expect our praise?

Until Thursday, Gomez was just another person who covered up child abuse.

Charles Fox

Huntington Beach

Finally, we have some forced accountability in this long, drawn-out drama involving unforgivable acts.

Mahony has stood behind the cloth for way too long. Hopefully, real justice is around the corner and more victims will experience some closure.

Ronald L. Wallace

Sherman Oaks

Gomez claims that Mahony “failed to fully protect young people entrusted to his care.” Mahony didn’t fail to fully protect kids; he barely tried. Mahony did, however, work to fully protect predator priests. And for a while, he succeeded.

If Gomez “fails” to describe the horror that has happened in the church accurately, he has no chance of preventing such horror in the future. This is about children, for heaven’s sake.

Kristine Ward

Dayton, Ohio

Bravo, L.A. Times, for refusing to be cowed by a powerful institution. You represent the best in investigative reporting and remind us why freedom of the press is essential for shinning a light in the dark places. Naming those who allowed this outrage has forced accountability and, hopefully, provided some solace to the many victims.

Joyce White

Simi Valley

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