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Subscribe to RSSLOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles police are combing through some 12,000 pages of priest abuse records released last week by the city's Catholic archdiocese to determine whether to open any new criminal investigations, authorities said Tuesday.
Many of the cases detailed in the more 120 personnel files were already known to law enforcement, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman said, and others could not be prosecuted because the statute of limitations had run out.
Don Bartletti / Pool via Reuters, file
Cardinal Roger Mahony, shown in 2010, was stripped of all public and administrative duties after being linked to efforts to conceal child sexual abuse by priests. Police are using 12,000 pages of documents released by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to look for leads that could strengthen old cases or prompt new ones.
But detectives wanted to make sure no leads had been missed in documents made public by the archdiocese as part of a 2007 civil court settlement, officer Bruce Borihanh said.
"Now that the list is available we want to be proactive and look at that list," Borihanh said. He said that he was not aware of any specific case that investigators were focused on and that it was possible no new leads would be discovered.
The probe marks the latest development following Thursday's release of the files, which has already led Archbishop Jose Gomez to strip his predecessor, Cardinal Roger Mahony, of all public and administrative duties.
Mahoney's former top aide, Thomas Curry, also stepped down as bishop of Santa Barbara. Both men had been linked to efforts to conceal the abuse.
In further fallout, the Los Angeles Unified School District severed its ties on Monday with a priest who, the files show, was once accused of molesting a teenage girl.
Father Joseph Pina, 66, took a job working for the school district in 2002, several years after he resigned as a pastor and was placed on inactive leave by the church. An attorney for Pina has declined to comment to Reuters on the matter.
The Los Angeles archdiocese, which serves 4 million Catholics, reached a $660 million civil settlement in 2007 with more than 500 victims of child molestation in the biggest such agreement of its kind in the nation.
Mahony at the time called the abuse "a terrible sin and crime."
Related:
Bishop apologizes for allowing child molester on school grounds
NY priest apologizes for saying child is often seducer in sex cases
Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.
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To hell with the statute of limitations.
If LA has 12,000 pages of this. What does NY, Boston, Chicago or other large cities have ??? If all those reports were made public. The church would ca-laps in upon itself. So much lying and denial, so many kids lives ruined. For what ???
Too bad they were not so zelous with their brothers in blue
All I have to say, is that you can still be religious without joining a, for a lack of better words, a cult. Too many sexual predators and unknowns come out of those places. I will keep my beleifs and prayers in the comfort of my own home. God knows I care.
I agree Blake. No where in the Bible does it say I have to attend a physical structure or meet with a group to pray and be faithful. Its whats in my heart and deeds that define me as a religious person and your accepted deity knows this. All the structure does is give people a place to flaunt their chosen religion and say look at me, I'm so pious. And then flaunt the amount they give, which is also contrary to what the Bible teaches about tithing.
I have to also agree to an extent. Churches and priest where the creation of need in a time when some people did not have a home or could not gather in a home. Priest where created out of a need because not many people could read in those days. There is no need for either in our society really everyone can now read the bible and should interpret by there own means and people can either gather at there houses or community centers if need be. The Bahai faith is a religion that was able to keep up with the times. They dont have Churches or clergy.
They need to start dispensing blow-up dolls to priests so they have an 'outlet' for a basic human function if you get the meaning. Maybe then instead of pouring over 12,000 pages of alleged abuse there'd be fewer at least.
Unfortunately, there's no statute of limitations on the devestation this abuse wreaks on one's life. They should not get away with destroying childrens' lives.
bishop's accountability.org "survivor's accounts"
And this is all about the 'church' which damns GLBTs and protests Equal Rights for Marriage and publicly engages in political venues defying the separation of church and state!
HYPOCRITES!
So true poster James R. M.
Yes, but the faithful will tell us all that there are just a few bad apples in the bunch. I'm sorry, but the religious have bought into a system that fosters this type of behavior. This is why they don't like science and progress. It leads to truth and transparency.
Anyone who continues to belong to the roman catholic church and continues to support it is an accessory to pedophilia and child abuse.
bishopsaccountability.org "survivor's accounts"
The Catholic Church has been and continues to be one of the most corrupt institutions. It is sad that many if not all Catholics still defend this vile institution.
I am not the first in the list of people who are tired of hearing that these are just isolated cases. While I agree that most people will not engage in this type of activity just because they are religious, I also believe that the church is structured to keep your eyes shut, protect the churches income, and protect its image at all costs. This fosters a haven for illicit and immoral behavior from within the church, and it is widespread and rampant. It amazes me that people are so blind to the fact that how the church represents itself is completely contrary to the teachings of Christ.
It's not just the catholic church, other large christian churches also have this problem. It's just not reported as much as the catholic church issues are.
Well said, ChrisFromCincy.
All roman catholic parishoners who continue to support the church and its ongoing abuse are guilty.
The very priest who conceived of, developed, and implemented the cover-up and relocation of pedophile priests to new victims was elected POPE.
If a manager of a daycare center was caught raping children, would he/she be moved to another branch and provided with fresh victims, then moved again and again, then promoted to CEO of the company?
All roman catholics have participated in this paradigm within their church.
bishopsaccountability.org "survivor's accounts" Protect our children.
I can see it now......orange prison jump suit and a miter
Priceless.
bishopsaccountability.org "survivor's accounts"
So are they saying that the court ok'd the release of the records in 2007, but didn't actually receive them until last week?
This isn't about a few bad priest who fell from grace, this is about serious CRIMES !! If Cardinal Mahoney obstructed justice he should be indicted, along with all those who sexually abused children, and they should be in PRISON where all perverts and deviants belong !!!
All roman catholics are brainwashed to think a) if they attend any other denomination they are damned to hell b) if they leave the roman catholic church they are damned to hell c) the pope has some divine access to/communication with God (that they can't even accurately define to the parishoners)
Therefore, they staunchly rally around the pope and the roman catholic church. Even if it means their children are in danger.
The rcc is much more powerful than you think.
bishopsaccountability.org "survivor's accounts"
LOL .... that explains it!
Disgusting ~
Can't trust a fckn priest. hahahahahaha
In 1965, a witness to the apparition of Our Lady of Garabandal (a vision of the Virgin Mother) made the claim that:
Many priests are following the road to perdition, and with them they are taking many more souls.
This second message caused particular controversy when it was revealed that Conchita had actually written "many cardinals, many bishops and many priests are following the road to perdition." She was asked many times to verify this information. The young women stated many times that Mary stressed the importance of the priesthood, and focused attention on priests above other witnesses at the apparitions. (Wikipedia)
Although it caused consternation at that point in time among the faithful, I don't think we'd have any problems today (given reports like this one) understanding what those words mean.
I'd be curious to know if the Church does indeed attract child molestors, or if there's something about the lifestyle itself that turns ordinary men into something evil and disgusting.
It's the acceptance of their crimes and the protection you give them.
Apparitions are fake. Evidence of crimes committed against innocent, helpless children are real.
The cover-up by the entire roman catholic church is real.
bishopsaccountability.org "survivor's accounts" Protect our children.
It's the acceptance of their crimes and the protection you give them.
I think you make a lot of assumptions there, pal.
I'm not Catholic.
I don't "protect" these criminals or accept their crimes.
The Garabandal apparitions have never been accepted by the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, per se, as far as I can tell.
But the claims are there, dating back to 1965, and isn't it funny that they line up with the facts of exploitation of the Catholic faithful that we are now increasingly aware of.
My sincerest apology, shakalac. To assume you are roman catholic is, in my opinion, the most vile insult I could foist upon you.
When I read, "Although it caused consternation at that point in time among the faithful, I don't think we'd have any problems today (given reports like this one) understanding what those words mean", I assumed you were among the "faithful".
Mea culpa.
And I'm not male. Not all victims of priests are male.
I'll wager that the "witness to the apparition" was raped or molested. Back then, no one would DARE even hint at a priest's indiscretion. This may have been her way of getting the word out, just as these news articles are mine.
bishopsaccountability.org "survivor's accounts"
I'll wager that the "witness to the apparition" was raped or molested. Back then, no one would DARE even hint at a priest's indiscretion. This may have been her way of getting the word out, just as these news articles are mine.
You're right. Can't argue with you there.
It would've been a pretty ingenious way to do so and draw the world's attention to the problem. Too bad it wasn't addressed then.
It's not being adequately addressed now, either. The vast majority of roman catholics that I know, and almost everyone that I know is roman catholic, won't even read these articles. They stick their heads in the sand so that they can remain in denial and ,therefore, feel comfortable remaining part of the roman catholic church.
You think I make a good guests at their parties? I won't let them forget. To forget is to abondon the current victims.
bishopsaccountability.org "survivor's accounts" It still goes on. Protect our children.
The vast majority of roman catholics that I know, and almost everyone that I know is roman catholic, won't even read these articles. They stick their heads in the sand so that they can remain in denial and ,therefore, feel comfortable remaining part of the roman catholic church.
That's so sad. I am sorry for your experiences.
I really find your idea intriguing, that the truly moral people will be the ones who will leave the now proven corruption of the Church behind them. It just so upside-down from the precepts of (Catholic) history. When now the do-gooders like the (some/most) nuns are officially chastised and the corrupt are protected and the children and the faithful are exploited.
It's not just the problem of the Church being "out of touch" with the world anymore. It's become something that seems to smack of actual evil.
12,000 pages! who didnt this perverts molest! - What a farce - they should all go to hell, too bad thats made up as well. If I had the power I would send them there.
Not exactly the role model for a moral compass, are they?
Pore over? How did this idiot get a job?
HBO has a documentary called 'Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God' which really delves into a history of abuse of deaf young men and their fight for some accountability against their abuser. It is amazing on how high up the cover up goes. The now Pope KNEW what was going on then! I believe another documentary is to be released soon with more history of priest abuse. Ireland just released a report on Catholic labor abuse of girls and women spanning decades. How anyone can continue to support the Catholic Church is beyond my understanding. How can so many not see that man created the myth as well as the interpretation (many times over!) of the bible in order to establish laws and to explain what then was not known, as well as to organize and control the sheeple to form the base of a power structure they were to serve? I can understand it for third world places, but in advanced societies where education and information are so prominent ...it boggles me. Don't people read about and question the information they are fed? Faith is well and good but Blind Faith is asinine!
Roman catholics are brainwashed from the day they are born by their brainwashed parents and surrounded by brainwashed relatives, friends, and neighbors to believe the roman catholic church is sanctioned and run by God and can do no wrong. They are brainwashed to believe it is "the one, true church" and that no other church or denomination "counts" when it comes to a relationship with God. Therefore, to worship anywhere else means eternal damnation in hell fire. As a parent, one might risk it, but no one wants to risk their childrens' eternal life.
That's where the priests get their power.
It is very difficult to break from brainwashing even if it happens as an adult. Imagine how daunting to break out of it when it's been imposed since birth and EVERYONE YOU KNOW CONDEMNS YOU FOR IT.
Roman catholics, wake up! Leave the church. Protect your children.
bishpsaccountability.org "survivor's accounts"
I don't know anything about the inner workings of the Catholic priesthood, but I suspect that money and "staffing issues" are at the heart of the problem.
The Catholic Church does not allow priests to be married due to the fact that the Church would have to support spouses and children, which would create a very large increase in operating expenses. Consequently, the Church has been dealing with a supply and demand crisis for many years in trying to recruit priests into the fold, which, in turn, led them to "look the other way" when it comes to offending priests. And, when that no longer worked, they simply transferred the offenders to new places and hoped for the best.
I know of no other explanation as to why "men of god" would tolerate this degree of perversity in their own ranks. And, predictably, it has cost the Church mightily, both in dollars and credibility, and continues to do so.
There is no reason for the Catholic Church Leadership to change tactics. Stall, obstruct, even lie and then simply ask for forgiveness later. Essentially nobody serves time for these crimes. The favorites get titular positions in the Vatican which is just a diplomatic immunity cover.
So why would they change? They have the system down. How can anyone belong to this racket? It's like choosing to remain with the KKK and the NAZIs by saying, "oh, they did SOME good." Despicable.
Good point about the diplomatic immunity. I never considered that. Thanks for the suggestion.
bishopsaccountability.org "survivor's accounts" This is who you turn your children over to, catholics.
Get the rug cleaned, am sure this is where information gleaned from these 12,000 pages will end up...
I think the Catholic Church is the devil's playground! For the most part all organized religion is abusive. If you believe in God, I do believe in God, then your home, office, back yard or anywhere you find peace is the place to be to get in touch with God.
The catholic church is disgraceful. its always been but people refuse to see the actual history of it. one way or another they always tried to exert control and when they did many innocent people died. now its about abuse, this isnt a few bad apples. this crime was rampant and i want to see these jerks in prison for life!!!!!!!!disgusting animals, and the pope is most at fault because he knew and did nothing about it. how can you sit there on your pope throne and act as if you are pure and holy. screw you and your church. as for god, i will continue to believe in my heart and in the comfort of my home without donating money to this disgusting institution.
bishopsaccountability.org "survivor's accounts"
Surely, the law authorities could find something from all that to place Mahony in custody for some time! He needs to go!
The cops want a lead? Here's a lead- almost every case involved an adult male abusing an under-age male. Simple solution- no gay priests.
All priests are gay. THis is a child rape issue, but if you eliminate all priests, you'd eliminate Catholic organized rampant child rape.
All priests are gay? Try telling that to the large number of women abused by straight priests, and the children sired by some priests. Your assumption is that if a man chooses celibacy, he's gay. That's like assuming if a man chooses vegetarianism, he don't like the taste of meat. Silly boy...
There are PLENTY of female victims. The gay pedophiles are more sensationalized and there probably are more gay abusers in the church, but eliminating the gay priests won't eliminate the problem. It won't stop the heterosexual priests from raping girls and molesting adult women who work for the church.
bishopsaccountability.org "survivor's accounts"
Cardinal Mahoney- a dear friend of Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein, Jerry Brown, and other pro-gay leftists. Mother Angelica of EWTN warned us about him long before the scandal. Here's one Catholic who is glad to see him exposed.
And one catholic who is part of the problem by continuing to remain catholic and support an orginization that harbors criminals.
You won't stop the rape of children until you all leave the church and it dissolves.
bishopsaccountability.org "survivor's accounts"
The LAPD or FBI should use RICO statues to infiltrate the Catholic church for the organized crime of child rape, pedophile proliferation, obstructing justice, hate crimes against children, and more.
That is, If the LAPD and FBI aren’t infected with Catholic pedophile supporters…..
Yes, please infiltrate our church and root out all the gay priests and the left-wing bishops who cover up for them. We would appreciate that.
Rooting out the gay ones won't stop the straight ones from raping the girls. After all, they have the protection of the pope.
bishopsaccountability.org "survivor's accounts. Protect our children.
Of curse they are infected with catholic supporters. That's why the rape continues and is not punished.
No one is pointing out the obvious- almost all of the abuse cases were male-on-male, and occurred between the late 70s and now. That means that homosexuality is a lead factor, and that something happened in Church management between those years to allow that factor to become operative...
The lead factor is that the roman catholic church protests criminals. If it didn't, this wouldn't continue. You are guilty of protecting child rapists if you remain roman catholic and support the church.
bishopsaccountability.org "survivor's accounts"
This has been going before the 70s. That is just when law enforcement starting keeping records. No church/religion is exempt from predators. It does not matter ones sexual orientation, people are just evil.
Michael - You are coming to conclusions which are not founded in fact. Priest and nun molestation cases have been documented and covered up for centuries. It has nothing to do with being gay or straight. Rape is always about power. I would recommend that you watch the HBO documentary "'Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God'. It does a fantastic job exposing the history of abuse and cover up in the Catholic church. Research "Servants of the Paraclete" and the work that they do. Originally founded to rehabilitate abusive priests they came to conclusion that it was not possible and recommended buying an island and setting up a monastery to keep these monsters away from the "flock". This proposal was rejected by the vatican.
If it were only a few bad apples then the Vatican would surely open up their archives and release all of the information that they have regarding these allegations. IMHO if the church went to work and "cleaned house" of offenders and those who helped cover up the crimes there would be no one left. It is a documented fact that the current Pope has been and still is complicit in covering up these crimes. He protected the priest that is the subject of the above named documentary.
Simply,
You are right. People should read the History on this Organization. They used to get away with just about anything Centuries ago and now they try to sweep things under rug because People will not put up with it. I feel sorry for people who can not read the writing on the wall or just refuse to. I doubt that most of them even read these stories or check their History maybe because either they just don't care or still believe what this Church is telling them. Proof is in the pudding I always say. Demand accountability!
If has been covered up for centuries, then how would you know about it? The two claims are mutually incompatable. If 99% of the cases were white perpetrators abusing black victims, you would rightly allege racism as part of the motive. So why when 99% of the cases are male-on-male, we all bury our heads in the sand and pretend that homosexuality has nothing to do with it?
i think "makes me wonder" had a good point..."to bad they were not so zealous with their brothers in blue"...the various abuse by police officers, including sexual, is just as bad and harmful...moreso, what about the abuse by parents, including sexual...talk about screwing up a child's life forever...i have witnessed both from so many of you in social services that want to "cast the first stone"...clean up your own act first...you know who you are...get some counseling...but then again, we have let all kinds of fornicating sexual lifestyles run rampant, that includes straight and gay...so what do you expect...true these kids are damaged goods and usually the abused becomes the abuser...do you think maybe that is why some kids are so prone to violence and wanting to shoot everyone in sight?...yes, that is why this anger boils out like a swollen pimple only to explode at some point...oh, and i just don't see the logic legally from ("brainwashed from birth" )... that is, if you are merely still a member of the catholic church you are involved in the conspiracy and share the guilt...please don't ever sit on jury, you must decline because you don't have the ability to remain objective.
This is what each member of the roman catholic church is financing:
bishopsaccountability.org "survivor's accounts"
Every current member of the roman catholic church supports the current victimization of children by priest rapists.
Our judicial system is not just. I do not serve on juries. The tens of thousands of victims of abusive nuns and priests and of priest rapists did not and do not get any justice because the church has too much power.
The only solution is the dissolution of the roman catholic church.