LA Cardinal Accused of Sexual Abuse

Las Vegas Sun ^ | 5 April 2002

[Notwithstanding]

It would be interesting if an accused cleric whose accuser was female used as his alibi that he had a homosexual orientation......

[Notwithstanding]

Latin America, yes.

But not Africa.

[BlessedBeGod]

This is from AP's website:

She said she is a disabled former fast-food worker who is taking antidepressants. She also said a psychiatrist told her she was a paranoid schizophrenic.

As much as I despise Mahoney and his liberal, unorthodox Catholicism (if you can call it Catholicism), if he's not guilty, this accusation is a travesty.

[NYer]

It smacks of a grab for cash.

Ditto! Her final comment to the reporter was: "I think I deserve compensationl"

The lawyers must be seeing $$$$ with the RC church right now.

[Notwithstanding]

Its as if suddenly the Holy Inquisition and the protestant Salem witch trials are now being advocated by certain FReepers.

[HENRYADAMS]

A lot of truth in what you say. "Let the games begin!"

[Notwithstanding]

Sadly, I think some people are so irrationally excited that they would actually believe a person in Poland who came forward today and claimed that 50 years ago the pope abused them.

[Fitzcarraldo]

We shouldn't fault Mahony for chasing women and money.

There are worse things.

[RobbyS]

I dislike Mahoney, but this is a false accusation, probably hysteria, but maybe for money. Doctors get accused all the time like this. And you know what? There is no way to defend yourself against a 20 year old charge, especially in the hysteria of the anti catholic feeding frenzy in this. Absolutely right!

[RobbyS]

The lawyers must be seeing $$$$ with the RC church right now. You means the sharks are circling the wounded whale. I have news for them. A reaction is coming.

[VOA]

There are worse things.

No kidding.
As much respect as I have for The Pope, I just about gagged when the newspapers
had the bold headline of him chastizing the Israelis for "humiliating" the Palestinians.

I guess it just shows what an irreligious person I am, but I feel the Israelis
have been relatively saintly for holding back during the last terrorist/suicide
bombing campaigns.

The Pope should have praised the Israelis for having show so much self-control for so long.

Just my opinion. And I'm not making a religious comment...just commenting about
a religious figures take on matters of politics and war.

[Orual]

Just heard a report on ABC radio news that this woman has released a statement saying that the Cardinal actually never touched her.

[Fitzcarraldo]

You means the sharks are circling the wounded whale. I have news for them. A reaction is coming.

The woman's allegation against Mahony can be expertly used to besmirch the credibility of any further allegations. Given the attitude and methods displayed in the intercepted emails, nothing would surprise me now.

Mahony has a slick operation.

Fighting the devil comes in many forms. (/sarcasm)

[SamAdams76]

I agree. Like the Clinton-defenders of old, the Catholic-defenders, rather than addressing the problem of homosexual/child abuser priests, are circling the wagons and trying to discredit the accusers just like the Clinton-defenders tried to discredit and marginalize Joanne Broderick and Linda Tripp. It really is disgusting to watch. We have a real problem in the Catholic Church and we have a real opportunity to purge the church of homosexual predators with a minimum amount of protest from the far left. But instead, the Catholic-defenders are trying to protect them and letting the opportunity pass by. At the same time, a clear message is sent to the victims of abuse by priests that they should just shut up about it. Granted, there are some "victims" who have surfaced to make false allegations in an effort to cash out with a settlement. These people, once identified, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. But so should the priests are are guilty.

[RobbyS]

Then the other bishops need to take lessons from him. Simple as the dove and wiley as the serpent.

[Fitzcarraldo]

Just heard a report on ABC radio news that this woman has released a statement saying that the Cardinal actually never touched her.

Touche. Curious how Mahony jumped at the chance to make this public so quickly, even before the woman's statement became widely distributed.

[FITZ]

She's accusing him of "molestation" 30 years ago----what exactly was involved in the molestation? Clinton was excused by NOW and the democrats for a couple of rapes because they happened over 20 years ago. What's the difference?

[RobbyS]

The gays in the Church are doing their best to deflect attention from themselves and difrecting it against the bishops actions. To be sure, the bishops deserve blame for believing that sexual" orientation" has nothing to do with pederasty. Perversion is as perversion does.

[FITZ]

Sort of like Anita Hill who tried to destroy Clarence Thomas and he never touched her either.