LOS ANGELES (CA)
NPR
[with audio]
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the largest in the U.S. and Latinos make up a majority of its parishioners. Latino Catholics there are hopeful a new papacy will bring an end to the child sex-abuse scandals that have rocked the archdiocese.
RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:
The Pope’s departure comes as the largest Catholic diocese in the United States is struggling with recent revelations from newly released records about sexual abuse by priests. Now, the man in the middle of that scandal, Cardinal Roger Mahoney, will be among the cardinals who elect a successor to Pope Benedict. Latinos make up 70 percent of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. NPR’s Shereen Marisol Meraji reports on their reaction to the pope’s resignation.
(SOUNDBITE OF BELLS RINGING)
SHEREEN MARISOL MERAJI, BYLINE: The church of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles was here nearly 200 years ago, when this was Mexico. And it’s still mostly Latinos who go there.
SOCORRO HERNANDEZ: (Spanish spoken)
MERAJI: Socorro Hernandez was there praying with her friend, Elisabet Maldonado. She says, in her opinion, the church shouldn’t choose popes who are on in years.
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