Los Angeles Archbishop releases clergy abuse files
(Vatican Radio) The archdiocese of Los Angeles (U.S.A.) released thousands of pages
of personnel files on Thursday, in connection with sexual abuse of minors by members
of the clergy. Accompanying the release of the documents, Los Angeles’ current Archbishop,
José Gomez issued a statement addressed to the faithful in which he says that his
predecessor, retired Cardinal Roger Mahony, has expressed sorrow for his failure to
fully protect young people entrusted to his care during his time as leader of the
Archdiocese. Archbishop Gomez says, “effective immediately,” he has “informed Cardinal
Mahony that he will no longer have any administrative or public duties.”
Below,
the full text of Archbishop Gomez’ public letter:
My brothers and sisters in
Christ, This week we are releasing the files of priests who sexually abused children
while they were serving in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. These files document
abuses that happened decades ago. But that does not make them less serious. I
find these files to be brutal and painful reading. The behavior described in these
files is terribly sad and evil. There is no excuse, no explaining away what happened
to these children. The priests involved had the duty to be their spiritual fathers
and they failed.
We need to acknowledge that terrible failure today. We need
to pray for everyone who has ever been hurt by members of the Church. And we need
to continue to support the long and painful process of healing their wounds and restoring
the trust that was broken.
I cannot undo the failings of the past that we
find in these pages. Reading these files, reflecting on the wounds that were caused,
has been the saddest experience I’ve had since becoming your Archbishop in 2011.
My
predecessor, retired Cardinal Roger Mahony, has expressed his sorrow for his failure
to fully protect young people entrusted to his care. Effective immediately, I have
informed Cardinal Mahony that he will no longer have any administrative or public
duties. Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry has also publicly apologized for his decisions
while serving as Vicar for Clergy. I have accepted his request to be relieved of his
responsibility as the Regional Bishop of Santa Barbara.
To every victim of
child sexual abuse by a member of our Church: I want to help you in your healing.
I am profoundly sorry for these sins against you.
To every Catholic in the
Archdiocese of Los Angeles, I want you to know: We will continue, as we have for many
years now, to immediately report every credible allegation of abuse to law enforcement
authorities and to remove those credibly accused from ministry. We will continue to
work, every day, to make sure that our children are safe and loved and cared for in
our parishes, schools and in every ministry in the Archdiocese. In the weeks ahead,
I will address all of these matters in greater detail. Today is a time for prayer
and reflection and deep compassion for the victims of child sexual abuse. I entrust
all of us and our children and families to the tender care and protection of our Blessed
Mother Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of the Angels. Sincerely yours
in Christ, Most Reverend José H. Gomez Archbishop of Los Angeles