Pope Francis' Funeral: Cardinal Mahony to Play Key Role Despite Controversies

Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, the former Archbishop of Los Angeles, accused of concealing sexual abuse cases involving priests, will have an official role in the funeral proceedings following the passing of Pope Francis. Mahony is tasked with closing the Pope's casket at St. Peter's Basilica and will participate in the burial at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, the cardinals involved were selected based on their seniority within the Church hierarchy.

Cardinal Mahony, aged 89, faced significant backlash after internal church documents revealed his involvement in efforts to shield abusive priests from justice. As the archbishop from 1985 to 2011, he oversaw policies that included relocating priests accused of molesting children to circumvent legal reporting obligations. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles eventually reached a settlement of $660 million with over 500 victims, a record at the time. In a more recent settlement, the Church has agreed to pay $880 million to settle claims from 1,353 individuals.

Mahony's upcoming participation in Pope Francis' funeral is met with mixed reactions, highlighting ongoing tensions within the Church regarding accountability and transparency in handling sexual abuse cases. The decision has reignited discussions about the Church's response to past abuses and the restoration of faith among victims and the larger Catholic community as they mourn the loss of the beloved Pope.