VATICAN CITY — Popular pressure is mounting in the United States and Italy to keep Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles away from the conclave to elect the next pope because of his role shielding sexually abusive priests, a movement targeting one of the most prominent of a handful of compromised cardinals scheduled to vote next month.
Amid the outcry, Mahony has made clear he will attend, and no one can force him to recuse himself. A Vatican historian also said Wednesday that there is no precedent for a cardinal staying home because of personal scandal. But the growing grass-roots campaign is an indication that ordinary Catholics are increasingly demanding a greater say in who is fit to elect their pope, and casts an ugly shadow over the upcoming papal election.
Comments
If the quote is accurate, Mahony sounds self-pitying. He should not go. I'm a practicing Catholic who needs more practice.
Has he been charged (or is there a possibility he could be) with any crimes for which he could stand trial? If so, could he just stay in Rome and avoid the long arm of John Law, if he chose to? (Don't know enough about this particular coverup at this time)
aw, c'mon: let's all join Cardinal Mahony's well-blogged pity party. apparently, he thrives on derision and shunning; believes it is a sign from God. problem is, apparently, the Cardinal cant read signs.
If all those Cardinals who participated in or were aware of the sexual abuse of children in the church were barred from the concloave, would there be anyone left to be the Pope?