LOS ANGELES (CA)
Mercury News
By ROBERT JABLON Associated Press
Posted: 02/11/2013
LOS ANGELES—Cardinal Roger Mahony will help elect a new pope despite recently being rebuked for not doing more to stop sexual abuse by priests when he led the Los Angeles Archdiocese.
Mahony, 76, made no reference to the scandal when he issued a statement Monday saying he would be among the cardinals who will choose the next pope.
“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 said.
Benedict, 85, announced Monday that he will resign on Feb. 28 because of failing health.
Mahony stepped down as head of the Los Angeles Archdiocese in 2011 after reaching retirement age. Long seen as a progressive leader who supported immigrant rights in an area with an enormous Spanish-speaking population, Mahony’s reputation was tainted by the abuse scandal that resulted in a record $600 million payout to more than 500 plaintiffs who sued the church over abuse.
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