‘Life Preserver’ Thrown to Priest Abuse Victims

Re “Orange Bishop to Apologize in Huge Abuse Settlement,” Jan. 4: Many Catholics don’t see settlement terms as the floating wreckage of survivors’ lives, but as an oil spill that victims caused, polluting their mother church. Bishop Tod D. Brown has thrown out a life preserver to survivors who managed to stay alive in the icy waters of many Catholics’ rejection of survivors. Meanwhile, it appears that Cardinal Roger Mahony stands at the helm, letting innocent lives be gouged by ordained icebergs and settle at the sea’s bottom.

Jaime J. Romo

Vista

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Cardinal Mahony has repeatedly covered up the chrismal acts of his brother priests. Isn’t it about time he lives up to his calling to mend and heal the broken-hearted victims of priest abuse? Mahony’s decision to appeal a court order to turn over the confidential files of two accused priests to a Los Angeles County grand jury is appalling and wrong. The priests in question are most probably serial pedophiles. Since when do church officials harbor and protect criminals? This in itself is a criminal offense. As a victim I say, Mahony stands guilty.

Mary Dispenza

Seattle, Wash.

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When Bishop Brown said, “We hope that our actions can restore the trust that many have lost in the leaders of the [Catholic] Church,” it appears that the actions he is referring to is paying off the victims with money. There is no amount of money that can compensate these people for the horrible atrocities that were done to them, but I’m sure that their 40% fee lawyers will gladly take whatever they can get.

R.E. Elliott

Fountain Valley