Former Los Angeles Roman Catholic Archbishop Roger M. Mahony and an
advisor conspired to conceal child molestation by priests from law
enforcement. They also kept the priests out of California in order to
avoid prosecution. The new revelations are the “strongest evidence yet
of a concerted effort by officials in the nation’s largest Catholic
diocese to shield abusers from police.”
The Archdiocese fought for years to keep the memos of Msgr. Thomas J. Curry secret. But the memos, which were filed in a civil court case “reveal in church leaders’ own words a desire to keep authorities from discovering that children were being molested.”
For instance, “Curry proposed strategies, “such as avoiding therapists who might alert authorities, and out-of-state assignments to prevent police from investigating priests. Sometimes priests even threatened illegal immigrants with deportation if they reported abuse.
Mahony and Curry knew that some of the abusive priests were aware they were committing crimes, but still worked to protect them for decades. In one case Curry suggested that an abusive priest be sent to “a lawyer who is also a psychiatrist” thereby putting “the reports under the protection of privilege,” and keep the records out of criminal court.
Though Mahony and Curry gave depositions about their handling of abuse cases, they were never questioned about their attempts to obstruct law enforcement. Now that the personnel records are public, a judge has ordered new depositions for a forthcoming hearing.
Mahony claimed in a 2010 deposition that he didn’t call police because he didn’t know the names of the abused children. “In my experience, you can only call the police when you’ve got victims you can talk to,” Mahony said. Also in defending himself, Mahony said that reporting standards for clergy are different now than they were before 1997, and that it was the responsibility of others, like psychologists and counselors who were required to report such cases to police back then.
Arguing that the Catholic clergy are excused from culpability because they were not required to report abuse cases may have legal advantages, but it adds to the moral shame of the Church. The clergy seemed more concerned about the criminal than the victim.
The Archdiocese had a pattern of working to elude police and thwarting law enforcement investigations. Mahony has apologized, but has not been prosecuted. Neither has Curry. Prosecutors have considered possible conspiracy cases against Mahony and Curry. The archdiocese said recently that its policy was to let victims and their families decide whether to go to police. But the victims were reluctant to report the priests and have to face a public prosecution.
More church files are soon to be released on 75 more priests accused of child abuse.
“And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” Revelation 17:4, 5
http://www.ktfministry.org/news/3140/new-revelations-in-catholic-church-scandal
The Archdiocese fought for years to keep the memos of Msgr. Thomas J. Curry secret. But the memos, which were filed in a civil court case “reveal in church leaders’ own words a desire to keep authorities from discovering that children were being molested.”
For instance, “Curry proposed strategies, “such as avoiding therapists who might alert authorities, and out-of-state assignments to prevent police from investigating priests. Sometimes priests even threatened illegal immigrants with deportation if they reported abuse.
Mahony and Curry knew that some of the abusive priests were aware they were committing crimes, but still worked to protect them for decades. In one case Curry suggested that an abusive priest be sent to “a lawyer who is also a psychiatrist” thereby putting “the reports under the protection of privilege,” and keep the records out of criminal court.
Though Mahony and Curry gave depositions about their handling of abuse cases, they were never questioned about their attempts to obstruct law enforcement. Now that the personnel records are public, a judge has ordered new depositions for a forthcoming hearing.
Mahony claimed in a 2010 deposition that he didn’t call police because he didn’t know the names of the abused children. “In my experience, you can only call the police when you’ve got victims you can talk to,” Mahony said. Also in defending himself, Mahony said that reporting standards for clergy are different now than they were before 1997, and that it was the responsibility of others, like psychologists and counselors who were required to report such cases to police back then.
Arguing that the Catholic clergy are excused from culpability because they were not required to report abuse cases may have legal advantages, but it adds to the moral shame of the Church. The clergy seemed more concerned about the criminal than the victim.
The Archdiocese had a pattern of working to elude police and thwarting law enforcement investigations. Mahony has apologized, but has not been prosecuted. Neither has Curry. Prosecutors have considered possible conspiracy cases against Mahony and Curry. The archdiocese said recently that its policy was to let victims and their families decide whether to go to police. But the victims were reluctant to report the priests and have to face a public prosecution.
More church files are soon to be released on 75 more priests accused of child abuse.
“And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” Revelation 17:4, 5
http://www.ktfministry.org/news/3140/new-revelations-in-catholic-church-scandal
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