Overview

• Cardinal Roger Mahony, removed from public duties in 2013 over his handling of clergy abuse cases, will participate in Pope Francis’s coffin closure on Friday.
• Victim advocacy groups have condemned Mahony’s inclusion, arguing it undermines the Church’s commitment to accountability and reform.
• The Vatican stated that Mahony’s involvement was based on his seniority among cardinals, not his past conduct.
• Mahony oversaw the Los Angeles Archdiocese during decades of abuse allegations, which led to a record $660 million settlement with over 500 victims in 2007.
• Critics say the decision contradicts Pope Francis’s efforts to address clerical abuse and risks signaling impunity for Church leaders tied to past scandals.