Cardinal Roger Mahony by Thank You (25 Millions ) views / Flickr (Left), Marco Iacobucci Epp / Shutterstock.com (Right)
CV NEWS FEED // Cardinal Roger Michael Mahony, who was involved in a sex abuse cover-up in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, was chosen to participate in the sealing of Pope Francis’ coffin and concelebrate the funeral Mass.
An emailed press release from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles states that the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff requested Cardinal Mahony’s presence at the sealing of Pope Francis’ coffin.
Cardinal Mahony was appointed as Archbishop of Los Angeles by Saint John Paul II on July 12, 1985, and made a Cardinal on June 28, 1991. He retired at the age of 75 on March 1, 2011.
He stated that he was “stunned” by the invitation.
“I was stunned and felt honored when I received the news to have been chosen for these special roles,” Cardinal Mahony stated in the release. “Pope Francis and I had a special friendship over the years, and we exchanged personal letters often.”
The 89-year-old will not participate in the conclave because cardinals over 80 years old cannot vote for the new pope, according to Canon law. Cardinal Mahony participated in the conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013.
According to The New York Times, in 2007, the archdiocese paid $660 million in settlements to more than 500 abuse victims. In 2024, it paid $880 million settling claims from 1,353 people.
In 2013, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez issued a letter after investigations showed that the cardinal had covered up the abuse of children in the archdiocese.
“My predecessor, retired Cardinal Roger Mahony, has expressed his sorrow for his failure to fully protect young people entrusted to his care,” Archbishop Gomez wrote in a 2013 letter. “Effective immediately, I have informed Cardinal Mahony that he will no longer have any administrative or public duties. Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry has also publicly apologized for his decisions while serving as Vicar for Clergy. I have accepted his request to be relieved of his responsibility as the Regional Bishop of Santa Barbara.”
Archbishop Gomez issued a clarification shortly after the publication of the letter, which reads: “Questions from the faithful and some members of the news media indicate that it would be helpful for me to clarify the status of Cardinal Roger Mahony and Bishop Thomas Curry.
“Cardinal Mahony, as Archbishop Emeritus, and Bishop Curry, as Auxiliary Bishop, remain bishops in good standing in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, with full rights to celebrate the Holy Sacraments of the Church and to minister to the faithful without restriction.”
According to a spokesperson for the archdiocese, Cardinal Mahony is “very much taking part in the general congregations, meetings, public Masses, and other events that the Cardinals are attending this week and in the coming days” and will be attending Mass with all of the other cardinals to begin the conclave.
“As Archbishop Gomez said on Monday when he addressed the news media after the noon Mass in honor of Pope Francis,” the spokesperson added, “Cardinal Mahony is representing the Archdiocese of Los Angeles during this time of mourning for our Catholic community and as we unite in prayer for our voting Cardinals who will be electing our new Pope.”
Editor’s note: This article was updated to include Archbishop Jose Gomez’s letter clarifying the status of Cardinal Roger Mahony and Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry after they were implicated in investigations revealing a sex abuse cover-up in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
