Cardinal Mahony Vows Hard Line on Sexual Abuse

Cardinal Roger M. Mahony has promised the Los Angeles Archdiocese that any allegation of sexual abuse by clergy, especially child molestation, will be investigated and abusers will not simply be reassigned.

“The sexual abuse of minors is the most heinous of all,” Mahony wrote in a lengthy pastoral statement on archdiocesan policy published in today’s editions of the Tidings, the archdiocesan newspaper. He said the policy has been promulgated since 1988.

A spokesman for the archdiocese said Mahony did not plan to grant press interviews on the topic.

The cardinal wrote that the archdiocese “will not knowingly assign or retain a priest, deacon, religious or layperson to serve in its parishes, schools, pastoral ministries, or any other assignment when such an individual is determined to have previously engaged in the sexual abuse of a minor.”

Last year the Los Angeles and Orange dioceses paid $5.2 million to settle sexual molestation allegations made against a high-profile priest. Several similar scandals--including one that ended with a prison sentence Thursday for a Roman Catholic priest in Boston accused of molesting a 10-year-old --have heightened public concern.

Pope John Paul II last year raised his voice on the issue. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the Vatican had issued new guidelines for pedophilia cases. However, critics noted that they do not require church officials to notify law enforcement officials in response to complaints or findings of priest behavior.

Los Angeles Archdiocese spokesman Tod M. Tamberg said that, given the focus on sex abuse by priests, Mahony wanted “to reiterate ... that we have comprehensive policies.”

Mahony wrote: “Tragically, some who have ministered in the name of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles have preyed upon the most vulnerable members of the flock and have caused them incalculable harm.” He said violation of young people while in the care of the church “is the most despicable breach of trust” and that it is crucial for the church to “honestly” confront the reality of abuse.

“If the archdiocese determines that a priest or deacon has engaged in such conduct, that person will be removed from all clerical offices and all pastoral or educational ministry and will not be reassigned.

“Since he will never return to active ministry, he will be encouraged to seek a dispensation from the obligations of the priesthood or the diaconate and to return to the lay state,” Mahony’s letter added.

Mahony became archbishop of the three-county archdiocese in 1986. Two years later he issued “zero tolerance” written policies on how to proceed if there is sexual abuse by clergy. One states: “Never deal with a problem of sexual abuse on the part of a priest or deacon by simply moving him to another ministerial assignment.”