Cardinal Roger Michael Mahony, the Archbishop Emeritus of Los Angeles, is a retired progressive prelate dedicated to social justice projects but who also faced severe criticism for his handling of sexual abuse cases within the metropolitan archdiocese.

Born on February 27, 1936, in Hollywood, California, Mahoney was the first native Angeleno to serve as Archbishop of Los Angeles. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley and attended St. Charles Grammar School in North Hollywood. At age 14, he entered Los Angeles College, the archdiocesan preparatory seminary. He continued his education at Our Lady Queen of the Angels Seminary and St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo.

Ordained priest on May 1, 1962, by Bishop Aloysius J. Willinger, Mahony was initially assigned to the Cathedral of St. John of Fresno. He furthered his studies at the Catholic University of America, earning a master’s degree in social work in 1964.

Throughout his early career, Mahony held various positions, including diocesan director of Catholic Charities and Social Service, parish priest, and Executive Director of the Catholic Welfare Bureau. He was also involved in civil issues, serving on committees addressing economic opportunities, alcoholic rehabilitation, and urban development.

In 1975, Mahony was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Fresno. He then served as Bishop of Stockton from 1980 to 1985. On July 16, 1985, Pope John Paul II appointed Mahony as Archbishop of Los Angeles. During his tenure, he reorganized the archdiocese into five administrative subdivisions and oversaw the controversial construction of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, which opened in 2002.

Mahony was created Cardinal-Priest of Santi Quattro Coronati by Pope John Paul II in the consistory of June 28, 1991. He participated in the conclaves that elected Popes Benedict XVI and Francis.

Throughout his career, Mahony served on numerous committees within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and held positions with various Vatican councils and congregations.

Mahony faced severe criticism for his handling of sexual abuse cases within the archdiocese, which led to a record-breaking settlement of $660 million for 508 victims in 2007. His management of the crisis was deemed extremely poor, marked by a pattern of cover-ups and mishandling of abuse cases that spanned decades. His actions and inactions led to numerous victims suffering abuse that could have been prevented.

In 1997, Mahony also had a significant public dispute with Mother Angelica, founder of EWTN, after she criticized on television a pastoral letter of Mahony, suggesting that it insufficiently emphasized the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.¹Mother Angelica outlined six ways in which she found the letter deficient, including its emphasis on the assembly rather than the Eucharist and its language regarding the role of priests. Stung by the criticism, Mahony appealed to the Vatican to take action against the network.

On February 27, 2011, Mahony reached the mandatory retirement age and was succeeded by Archbishop José Horacio Gómez. In 2013, Gómez relieved Mahony of his public and episcopal duties in the archdiocese following the release of personnel files documenting priests’ sexual abuse during Mahony’s tenure.