Church sex-abuse case sparks anger

Re “Mahony accounts of abuse case tape differ,” March 20

Once again, Cardinal Roger Mahony has been caught in a lie. He lied to the people of Los Angeles about Michael Baker several years ago. Now we find that he got caught lying to his flock in October 2005 about Lynn Caffoe. When will he learn that, when in doubt, start with the truth? It is the best advice that any leader can follow. He certainly is not getting that advice from his lawyers. Because his credibility as the shepherd of the Catholic Church in Los Angeles is completely nonexistent, I urge him to resign. The people of our community deserve a fresh approach to putting this horrible problem behind us.

EDWARD GARNETT

Westlake Village

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Does everyone connected with the Catholic Church have a case of lazy-eye syndrome? While the abuse continues, their eyes seem to be looking in a different direction. Mahony knew that Caffoe videotaped “ ‘partially naked’ boys in a state of sexual arousal” -- he lied about it and did nothing. The pope [then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger] knew that Mahony covered for someone who committed a blatant crime and did nothing. Both these men seem to be accessories to crimes against children.

JO-ANNE COLLINS

Fountain Valley