Abp. Gomez: “I find these files to be brutal and painful reading.”

Rocco Palmo provides an overview of the latest news from the Archdiocse of Los Angeles: 

Ten days after an initial release from 30,000 pages of clergy sex-abuse files in the archdiocese of Los Angeles sparked widespread scorn and calls for the prosecution of now-retired Cardinal Roger Mahony and his then-vicar for clergy, now Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry, in a letter to the 5 million-member church released tonight, Archbishop José Gomez announced that the embattled auxiliary would be relieved of his pastoral oversight of Santa Barbara County, and that the iconic Mahony – the longest-reigning American cardinal named after Vatican II, whose quarter-century tenure saw the LA church become the largest diocese in the nation’s history – “will no longer have any administrative or public duties.”

This site created by the Archdiocese contains the clergy files in question; it states, “There are approximately 12,000 pages in the files being released, in accordance with the Court orders. Media reports that there were 30,000 or more pages were inaccurate.” It also explains, “124 files are being released with names. Of this number, 82 files have information on allegations of childhood sexual abuse and 42 files have no information on allegations of childhood sexual abuse but, in those instances, the ‘proffers’ are being provided.” Proffers are “summaries of personnel files, prepared for litigation that describe some of the documents in that file.” 

The January 31st letter of Abp. José Gomez is available as a PDF file from the home page of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles site. Here is the letter in its entirety: 

Statement on the Release of Clergy Files

Most Reverend José H. Gomez
Archbishop of Los Angeles
Los Angeles

January 31, 2013

My brothers and sisters in Christ, 

This week we are releasing the files of priests who sexually abused children while they were serving in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. 

These files document abuses that happened decades ago. But that does not make them less serious. 

I find these files to be brutal and painful reading. The behavior described in these files is terribly sad and evil. There is no excuse, no explaining away what happened to these children. The priests involved had the duty to be their spiritual fathers and they failed.

We need to acknowledge that terrible failure today. We need to pray for everyone who has ever been hurt by members of the Church. And we need to continue to support the long and painful process of healing their wounds and restoring the trust that was broken. 

I cannot undo the failings of the past that we find in these pages. Reading these files, reflecting on the wounds that were caused, has been the saddest experience I’ve had since becoming your Archbishop in 2011. 

My predecessor, retired Cardinal Roger Mahony, has expressed his sorrow for his failure to fully protect young people entrusted to his care. Effective immediately, I have informed Cardinal Mahony that he will no longer have any administrative or public duties. Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry has also publicly apologized for his decisions while serving as Vicar for Clergy. I have accepted his request to be relieved of his responsibility as the Regional Bishop of Santa Barbara.

To every victim of child sexual abuse by a member of our Church: I want to help you in your healing. I am profoundly sorry for these sins against you.

To every Catholic in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, I want you to know: We will continue, as we have for  many years now, to immediately report every credible allegation of abuse to law enforcement authorities and  to remove those credibly accused from ministry. We will continue to work, every day, to make sure that our children are safe and loved and cared for in our parishes, schools and in every ministry in the Archdiocese.

In the weeks ahead, I will address all of these matters in greater detail. Today is a time for prayer and  reflection and deep compassion for the victims of child sexual abuse. 

I entrust all of us and our children and families to the tender care and protection of our Blessed Mother Mary, 

Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of the Angels. 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend José H. Gomez
Archbishop of Los Angeles