Cardinal Mahony's Vote In Papal Conclave Stirs Ire, Shrugs

Jahnabi Barooah
Updated

LOS ANGELES (RNS) After the release of damning sex abuse documents that prompted a rare public rebuke from the current archbishop of Los Angeles, retired Cardinal Roger Mahony again finds himself in the spotlight -- this time over his upcoming vote in the conclave to elect a new pope.

Despite allegations of hiding sexual abuse by priests and then being sidelined by current Archbishop Jose Gomez, Mahony remains a cardinal, a priest "in good standing" and under age 80 -- all enough to make him eligible to be one of just 11 American cardinals to hold a vote in next month's conclave.

"I look forward to traveling to Rome soon to help thank Pope Benedict XVI for his gifted service to the church, and to participate in the Conclave to elect his successor," Mahony wrote on his personal blog hours after the pope's stunning resignation announcement.

Others, however, aren't so excited.

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The left-leaning group Catholics United, which has started an online petition objecting to Mahony's role, said that the retired cardinal "should reexamine his priorities and stay home."

"Cardinal Mahony should do the right thing and stay home," the group said. "By putting children in danger, he's lost his ability to have a voice in the Church."

In many ways, Mahony finds himself facing the same criticism that was directed at Cardinal Bernard Law, who resigned in disgrace as archbishop of Boston because of the abuse scandal but nonetheless got a vote in the 2005 conclave that elected Benedict.

Tradition says that an archdiocese should not have more than one cardinal-elector at a time, which means Gomez will have to wait to be named a cardinal until after the 76-year-old Mahony loses his vote in 2016.

Gomez called the 14,000 pages of internal church records full of "terribly sad and evil behavior," and promptly removed Mahony from all "administrative or public duties." But under church law, cardinals are ultimately answerable only to the pope himself, not the local bishop.

The Washington Post slammed Mahony for protecting known abusers, saying he's "lucky not to be in prison" and bemoaning that "his continued prominence reflects the culture of impunity in the Catholic Church a decade after its tolerance and complicity in the abuse of children was exposed."

Manuel Vega, who was abused as an altar boy, told the Los Angeles Times that he couldn't understand how Mahony could retain a vote in the College of Cardinals.

"Mahony is going without clean hands," he told the newspaper. "His hands are dirty ... from covering up years of sexual abuse. How can he be part of the conclave?"

But across the sprawling archdiocese, Mahony's vote in the conclave is being greeted by many others with a shrug.

The Rev. Thomas Welbers of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills said Mahony's position as a member of the conclave is just part of the process -- a cardinal is an honorary priest of the diocese of Rome, and he's allowed to join 116 other cardinals to elect the bishop of Rome, he said.

"Voting rights are not determined by how others may feel about the person," Welbers said.

Yolanda Moreno, 53, a parishioner at St. Agnes Church in South Los Angeles, said she isn't bothered by Mahony's position in the next conclave. God knows best, she said, and Catholics should trust in that.

"He has experience after this scandal," she said, noting that Mahony's vote carries as much weight as any other cardinal's. "Maybe he could help the other cardinals."

Others were openly supportive of the man who led the nation's largest archdiocese from 1985 to 2011.

Mike Flota, another parishioner at St. Agnes Church, said he was upset about current controversy surrounding the L.A. diocese. But he puts his trust in God's hands, and said Mahony is just another sinner in need of forgiveness.

"Nobody is perfect," Flota, 65, said. "He feels remorse."

Flota added that Mahony's life experience and vision as a more liberal cardinal would bring wisdom to the conclave.

The Rev. James Heft, a professor at the University of Southern California, said there is no basis for Mahony to be stripped of his vote; canon law allows that all cardinals under age 80 -- even ill cardinals -- are required to vote in the papal conclave.

"The scandal weighs heavy on many people," he said. "But he hasn't been asked to leave the priesthood. This is his job."

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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