Criticisms Of Cardinal Mahoney's Presence At Conclave Reach Vatican

Jahnabi Barooah
FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2007 file photo, Cardinal Roger Mahony speaks during an annual multi-ethnic migration Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Cardinal Mahony and other top Roman Catholic officials from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles maneuvered behind the scenes to shield molester priests, provide damage control for the church and keep parishioners in the dark, according to church personnel files. Mahony, who is retired, issued a statement Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, apologizing for his mistakes and saying he had been "naive" about the lasting impacts of abuse. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File) (Photo: )

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The controversy over Cardinal Roger Mahony's vote in the conclave that will elect a new pope has now reached the Vatican, with at least one cardinal musing aloud that the former archbishop of Los Angeles should consider staying home.

Mahony, who led the nation's largest archdiocese from 1985 to 2011, has been accused of hiding sexual abuse by priests and was recently sidelined by current Archbishop Jose Gomez.

Gomez announced that Mahony would no longer have any "administrative or public duties" after a court-ordered release of 14,000 pages of internal church records showed Mahony and others actively tried to shield abusive priests from prosecution. Gomez called the records "brutal and painful reading."

Nonetheless, the 76-year old cardinal remains a bishop" in good standing" and retains the right to vote for the future pope until he reaches age 80. Gomez has since said he supports Mahony's vote in the conclave.

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On Monday (Feb. 18) Italy's main weekly, the Catholic magazine Famiglia Cristiana, put the so-called "Mahony affair" on the home page of its website, quoting the petition by left-leaning group Catholic United calling the prelate to "stay home."

The magazine also asked its readers to share their thoughts on whether Mahony should attend the conclave. Within hours, the magazine received hundreds of answers via its website, overwhelmingly asking the cardinal not to come to Rome.

"Cardinal Mahony should not only stay home from the conclave but retire to a life of prayer in a monastery," read one typical comment. "It seems inconceivable to me that he doesn't feel the moral duty to abstain from the conclave," read another.

By Tuesday, Mahony's case was on the front page of most of the main Italian newspapers, prompting the first reactions from within the Vatican.

In an interview with the daily La Repubblica, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, the former head of the Vatican's Prefecture for Economic Affairs and the pope's envoy charged with reforming the disgraced Legionaries of Christ, said that "it will be up to (Mahony's) conscience to decide whether to take part or not."

De Paolis stressed that there is no formal procedure to stop Mahony from attending the conclave.

"The common practice is to use persuasion. There is no more that can be done. Cardinal Mahony has the right and duty to take part," he said. "This is a troubling situation but the rules must be followed."

According to De Paolis, only "someone with great authority" could advise "through a private intervention" that the retired Mahony not take part.

On Tuesday, the Italian news agency ANSA quoted Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, a former No. 3 official at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, as saying that "if his presence creates difficulties or embarrassment, then I think it could be opportune to renounce."

"But the decision is up to him and his conscience," Girotti added.

La Caramella Buona, an Italian group for victims of sexual abuse, also called on Mahony not to attend the conclave.

But in a Monday tweet, Mahony signaled his resolve to come to Rome. "Count-down to the Papal Conclave has begun. Your prayers needed that we elect the best Pope for today and tomorrow's Church," Mahony wrote.

The tweet sparked dozens of reactions online, with Twitter users calling his decision "shameful." "Please recuse yourself for the good of the Church," asked @bobshineproblem.

In a Monday post on his blog, Mahony also discussed the difficulty of "never rationalizing what is happening in our lives, never protesting misunderstandings, and never getting angry because of false accusations."

"That is so difficult for us human beings. It is certainly difficult for me on my journey," he added.

Raymond L. Burke

Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura Age: 64 Born: June 30, 1948 in Richland Center, Wis. Education: Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.), Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome) Ordained a priest: 1975 in Rome Posts held: bishop of La Crosse, Wis. (1994-2003); archbishop of St. Louis, Mo. (2004-2008); prefect of the Apostolic Signatura (2008-present) Elevated to cardinal: 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI FILE - This May 13, 2012 file photo shows Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, of the United States, taking part in an anti-abortion march in Rome. The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on Feb. 28, 2013 opens the door to a host of possible successors, from the cardinal of Milan to a contender from Ghana and several Latin Americans. Top candidates for Benedict's succession from the U.S. include Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York and Cardinal Raymond Burke, an arch-conservative and the Vatican's top judge. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca, files)

Daniel N. DiNardo

Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, Texas Age: 63 Born: May 23, 1949 in Steubenville, Ohio Education: Catholic University of America, Duquesne University (Pittsburgh) Ordained a priest: 1977 in Pittsburgh Posts held: coadjutor bishop of Sioux City, Iowa (1997-1998); bishop of Sioux City, Iowa (1998-2004); coadjutor archbishop of Galveston-Houston (2004-2006); archbishop of Galveston-Houston (2006-present) Elevated to cardinal: 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI US newly appointed cardinal Daniel DiNardo attends the traditionnal courtesy visit, 24 November 2007 in Vatican. Twenty-three new cardinals knelt before Pope Benedict XVI to accept their birettas, square red hats, during a time-honoured ceremony inducting them into the elite body that advises and elects popes. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images)

Timothy M. Dolan

Archbishop of New York Age: 63 Born: Feb. 6, 1950 in St. Louis Education: Catholic University of America, Pontifical North American College (Rome), Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Rome), and Kenrick-Glennon Seminary (Shrewsbury, Mo.) Ordained a priest: 1976 in St. Louis Posts held: rector of Pontifical North American College (1994-2001); auxiliary bishop of St. Louis (2001-2002); archbishop of Milwaukee (2002-2009); archbishop of New York (2009-present) Elevated to cardinal: 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 13: Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, addresses fellow Catholics at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Ash Wednesday on February 13, 2013 in New York City. Cardinal Dolan celebrated Mass and marked a cross with black ashes on the foreheads of Catholics, which marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of pray and fasting for many Christians. Dolan is expected to travel to Rome in the next month to participate in the College of Cardinals, which will choose a successor to Pope Benedict XVI, who announded that he will step down as Pontiff. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Francis E. George

Archbishop of Chicago Age: 76 Born: Jan. 16, 1937 Education: Catholic University of America, Tulane University (New Orleans) and University of Ottawa Ordained a priest: 1963 in Chicago Posts held: bishop of Yakima, Wash. (1990-1996); archbishop of Portland, Ore. (1996-1997); archbishop of Chicago (1997-present) Elevated to cardinal: 1998 by Pope John Paul II CHICAGO - APRIL 21: In this handout photo provided by DePaul University, Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., archbishop of Chicago and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, addresses the DePaul University symposium April 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Symposium has gathered to respond to a recent encyclical from Pope Benedict XVI that addressed the role the global Catholic community is playing in shaping and determining the future of the world's burgeoning population and its mounting challenges in economic opportunity, social justice and environmental sustainability. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/DePaul University via Getty Images)

James M. Harvey

Archpriest of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls Basilica in Rome Age: 63 Born: Oct. 20, 1949 in Milwaukee Education: St. Francis Seminary (St. Francis, Wis.), Pontifical Gregorian University and Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy (Rome) Ordained a priest: 1975 in Rome Posts held: prefect of Prefecture of the Papal Household (1998-2012); archpriest of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls Basilica (2012-present) Elevated to cardinal: 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - NOVEMBER 25: Newly appointed cardinal James M. Harvey attends a mass held by Pope Benedict XVI at the St. Peter's Basilica on November 25, 2012 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Pontiff installed six new cardinals during his fifth concistory, who will be responsible for choosing his sucessor. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

William J. Levada, retired

Age: 76 Born: June 15, 1936 in Long Beach, Calif. Education: St. John's Seminary (Camarillo, Calif.), Pontifical North American College and Pontifical Gregorian University Ordained a priest: 1961 in Rome Posts held: auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles (1983-1986); archbishop of Portland, Ore. (1986-1995); archbishop of San Francisco (1995-2005); prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (2005-2012) Elevated to cardinal: 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI SAN FRANCISCO - MAY 13: San Francisco Archbishop William Levada holds a news conference regarding his recent appointment to the Vatican at St. Francis Hall in St. Mary's Cathedral Conference Center on May 13, 2005 in San Francisco, California. The Archbishop was named as the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the same office Pope Benedict XVl held before his elevation. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

Roger Mahony

Archbishop emeritus of Los Angeles Age: 76 Born: Feb. 27, 1936 in Los Angeles Education: Catholic University of America Ordained a priest: 1962 in Fresno Posts held: auxiliary bishop of Fresno (1975-1980); bishop of Stockton, Calif. (1980-1985); archbishop of Los Angeles (1985-2011); archbishop emeritus of Los Angeles (2011-present) Elevated to cardinal: 1991 by Pope John Paul II FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2007 file photo, Cardinal Roger Mahony speaks during an annual multi-ethnic migration Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez has relieved retired Cardinal Roger Mahony of his remaining duties, on the same night the church released thousands more files on priest sexual abuse. Gomez released a statement Thursday Jan. 31, 2013, saying he has told Mahony he will no longer have any administrative or public duties. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)

Edwin F. O'Brien

Grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Age: 73 Born: April 8, 1939 in New York Education: St. Joseph's Seminary (Yonkers, N.Y.), Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas Ordained a priest: 1965 in New York Posts held: rector of Pontifical North American College (1990-1994); auxiliary bishop of New York (1996-1997); archbishop of U.S. Military Services (1997-2007); archbishop of Baltimore (2007-2011); grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (2012-present) Elevated to cardinal: 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI Newly-appointed cardinal Edwin Frederick O'Brien, of the United States, attends a Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican a day after installing 22 of them as cardinals, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito) <strong>CORRECTION</strong>: An earlier version had a photo of Bishop William Lori.

Sean P. O'Malley

Archbishop of Boston Age: 68 Born: June 29, 1944 in Lakewood, Ohio Education: St. Fidelis Seminary (Butler, Pa.), Capuchin College (Washington, D.C.), and Catholic University of America Ordained a priest: 1970 in Pittsburgh Posts held: bishop of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (1985-1992); bishop of Fall River, Mass. (1992-2002); bishop of Palm Beach (2002-2003); archbishop of Boston (2003-present) Elevated to cardinal: 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - FEBRUARY 19: Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley, archbishop of Boston attends a mass held by pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica on February 19, 2012 in Vatican City, Vatican. The 84 year old Pontiff installed 22 new cardinals during his fourth concistory, who will be responsible for choosing his sucessor. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Justin F. Rigali

Archbishop emeritus of Philadelphia Age: 77 Born: April 19, 1935 in Los Angeles Education: Catholic University of America, Pontifical Gregorian University Ordained a priest: 1961 in Los Angeles Posts held: president of Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy of the Roman Curia (1985-1989); secretary to the Congregation for Bishops (1989-1994); secretary to the College of Cardinals (1990-1994); archbishop of St. Louis (1994-2003); archbishop of Philadelphia (2003-2011) Elevated to cardinal: 2003 by Pope John Paul II Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop Emeritus of Philadelphia, walks past the casket of Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua as the procession makes its way past his casket during the Solemn Funeral Mass for Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/The Inquirer, Charles Fox, Pool)

Donald W. Wuerl

Archbishop of Washington D.C. Age: 72 Born: Nov. 12, 1940 in Pittsburgh Education: St. Gregory Seminary (Cincinnati), Catholic University of America, Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas Ordained a priest: 1966 in Rome Posts held: auxiliary bishop of Seattle (1985-1987); bishop of Pittsburgh (1988-2006); archbishop of Washington, D.C (2006-present) Elevated to cardinal: 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 20: Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl stands inside of St Matthew's Cathedral after saying mass, on October 20, 2010 in Washington, DC. Pope Benedict XVI named Archbishop Wuerl and 23 other Catholic leaders from around the world to cardinals today. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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