Sex abuse cover-up by L.A. Archdiocese is alleged
The former vicar of clergy for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles testified this week under oath that Cardinal Roger Mahony ordered him in 2000 not to contact police about allegations of sexual abuse by a priest.
In deposition papers filed Friday as part of a civil case, Msgr. Richard Loomis also testified that Mahony ordered him not to inform parishes of allegations against the now defrocked Rev. Michael Baker.
In 2007, Baker was sent to state prison for 10 years after his conviction on molestation charges. He has been called before a federal grand jury investigating how the archdiocese handled priest abuse cases. Loomis is on leave from the archdiocese after also being accused of sexual abuse.
Tod M. Tamberg, a spokesman for the archdiocese, said church officials had not seen the deposition and therefore could not comment.
In deposition papers filed Friday as part of a civil case, Msgr. Richard Loomis also testified that Mahony ordered him not to inform parishes of allegations against the now defrocked Rev. Michael Baker.
In 2007, Baker was sent to state prison for 10 years after his conviction on molestation charges. He has been called before a federal grand jury investigating how the archdiocese handled priest abuse cases. Loomis is on leave from the archdiocese after also being accused of sexual abuse.
Tod M. Tamberg, a spokesman for the archdiocese, said church officials had not seen the deposition and therefore could not comment.
--Martha Groves and Richard Winton
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Please go check out Montgomery County, Maryland. Culture of silence?, NO!. Everybody knows about it, but are to afraid to say anything. Except me.
Posted by: Shannon | September 19, 2009 at 12:31 PM
A Roman Catholic priest is not married and by frolicking with an under aged girl, he is merely preparing her for marriage henceforth protecting the sanctified institution of marriage, (one man, one woman). With a boy of course this being a bad sin he will rot in hell for eternity.
Am I cynical?? Maybe, but not as much as Mahony and his stand on same sex marriage, while protecting lowlife.
Posted by: fern | September 20, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Re: Tod Tamberg, who would want to be a "spokesman" for an organization that persists in child sex abuse and covering it up? If they hide this, what else are they hiding?
Posted by: Mary | September 21, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Unfortunately for the children of L.A., no surprises here.
Posted by: Mary | September 21, 2009 at 10:53 AM