Controversial Cardinal to Participate in Pope Francis' Funeral Ceremony

Despite his past, Cardinal Mahony is set to participate in important funeral rites of Pope Francis, raising questions about accountability in the Church.

Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, a figure shrouded in controversy due to allegations of sexual abuse cover-ups, is slated to take part in the funeral proceedings of Pope Francis, who passed away recently. The Vatican has confirmed that Cardinal Mahony, the former archbishop of Los Angeles, will close the late pope's casket at St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday and participate in his burial at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore on Saturday.

The choice of cardinals for these honors is based on their rank and seniority, as stated by Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni during a media briefing. Cardinal Mahony, now 89, served as archbishop of Los Angeles from 1985 until his retirement in 2011. His tenure, however, has been marred by evidence documenting his involvement in shielding abusive priests from punishment and obstructing investigations into sexual misconduct.

In 2013, leaked internal documents revealed that Mahony and other church officials had actively worked to protect accused priests, including relocating offenders for therapy in states where mandatory reporting laws were less stringent. The Archdiocese, which is the largest in the U.S., faced legal action resulting in a record settlement of $660 million in 2007 for over 500 victims of sexual abuse, with additional settlements totaling $880 million reached recently for claims from more than 1,300 individuals.

Mahony’s role at Francis’ funeral has prompted discussions regarding accountability and transparency within the Catholic Church, particularly as it continues to grapple with the legacy of clerical abuse scandals. As the world honors Pope Francis, the presence of a controversial figure like Mahony is a stark reminder of the challenges that still lie ahead for the Church in confronting its troubled history.