Archbishop Roger Mahony
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Ordained: 1962
Retired: 2011
Assignment History:
- 1962-1964: Graduate studies
- 1965-1974: Unknown
- 1975-1979: Auxiliary Bishop of Diocese of Fresno
- 1980-1985: Bishop of Diocese of Stockton
- 1985-2011: Archbishop of Archdiocese of Los Angeles
- 2011: Retired
- 2012-Present: Unknown
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Archbishop Roger Mahony:
Archbp. Roger Mahony, the former Archbishop of Los Angeles, was ordained a priest in 1962 who served in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. According to media reports, he admitted that he tragically mishandled dozens of cases of abusive priests while he held leadership positions in the Archdiocese.
Mahony was Archbishop of Los Angeles from 1985 to 2011, and a cardinal since 1991. As a dominant church figure, his failures to protect young people from sexually abusive priests were grounds for the decision to bar Mahony from public ministry.
Documents were released as part of the Archdiocese’s 2007 settlement with survivors of child sexual abuse. They showed that top officials, including Cardinal Mahony, “maneuvered behind the scenes to shield molester priests, provide damage control for the church and keep parishioners in the dark,” stated Samantha Tata of NBC Southern California.
Archbishop Jose Gomez announced in 2013 that retired Cardinal Mahony would be relieved from any administrative or public duties in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He was, however, permitted to continue offering Mass at his North Hollywood parish and remained a priest in good standing. At least two survivors have come forward alleging child sexual abuse by Cardinal Mahony, between approximately 1970 and 1993. Neither claim was substantiated.
Cardinal Mahony was included in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ list of priests accused of sexual misconduct involving minors. It is believed Cardinal Mahony is living in North Hollywood, CA. Cardinal Mahony’s status as a priest and whether he has access to children are unknown.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in California. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in one of California’s Catholic dioceses, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles now have legal options due to a voluntary compensation fund created by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in California and nationwide. We can help.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.