US cardinal accused of covering up sex abuse scandal will help close Pope Francis’ coffin

CNN - Apr 24th, 2025

Cardinal Roger Mahony, the retired Archbishop of Los Angeles, is set to participate in the ceremonies for the closing of Pope Francis' coffin and his burial, despite past controversies over his handling of clerical sexual abuse cases. Mahony, who was relieved of official duties in 2013, will serve as a 'cardinal priest' in the rites at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. His participation is drawing attention due to his history with the clerical abuse scandal and the significant financial settlements related to it.

The inclusion of Mahony, who has repeatedly apologized for his past actions, highlights ongoing tensions within the Catholic Church regarding accountability and reform. Although his role is ceremonial and lacks voting rights due to his age, it underscores the complexities of Church leadership amidst a backdrop of historical abuse claims. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles sees his participation as a blessing, reflecting the nuanced perspectives within the Church on his past contributions and current standing.

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RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant account of Cardinal Roger Mahony's involvement in Pope Francis' funeral ceremonies, highlighting both his controversial past and his current role. While it offers a clear narrative, the lack of direct sources and diverse perspectives affects its balance and source quality. The story addresses significant public interest topics, such as clerical abuse and church accountability, and has the potential to influence discussions within the Catholic community. However, the absence of direct citations or quotes limits its impact and engagement potential. Overall, the article is informative and well-timed but could benefit from greater transparency and source attribution to enhance its credibility.

Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims that align with known events and figures, such as Cardinal Roger Mahony's involvement in the ceremonies related to Pope Francis' funeral. The claim that Mahony was accused of mismanaging clerical sexual abuse cases and his subsequent removal from duties is consistent with historical records. However, the article does not provide direct sources or documentation to verify all claims, such as the specific statement from the Holy See or the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The accuracy could be improved by citing these sources directly or providing links to official statements.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on Cardinal Mahony's controversial history and his role in the funeral ceremonies, which could present a biased perspective by emphasizing his past controversies over his current role. While it mentions Mahony's involvement in immigration and workers' rights, it does not delve deeply into these aspects, which could provide a more rounded view of his contributions. The article also lacks perspectives from Mahony himself or his supporters, which could balance the narrative.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, providing a logical flow of information from Mahony's background to his current involvement in the funeral ceremonies. The language is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative. However, the lack of direct quotes or citations could lead to some confusion about the sources of information.

Source quality

The article does not clearly attribute its information to specific sources, which affects the credibility of the reporting. While it references statements from the Holy See and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, these are not directly quoted or linked to official documents. The lack of diverse sources or expert opinions on the implications of Mahony's involvement also limits the depth of the reporting.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of sourcing and the basis for its claims. It does not clarify how the information was obtained or whether there were any potential conflicts of interest. The absence of direct quotes or citations from official sources makes it difficult for readers to assess the reliability of the information presented.