Roger Michael Mahony was born in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on 27 February 1936 and ordained a priest for Fresno on 1 May 1962; he took a master's in social work at the Catholic University of America. Appointed auxiliary bishop of Fresno in January 1975 (consecrated 19 March) and Bishop of Stockton in February 1980, he was promoted to Los Angeles on 16 July 1985 — the first native Angeleno to hold the see — serving for twenty-six years. He reorganized the vast archdiocese into five regions and built the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (dedicated 2 September 2002); in May 2006, as an immigration champion, he said he would instruct clergy and laity to defy the proposed H.R. 4437 if it passed.
John Paul II created him a cardinal on 28 June 1991, with the title of Santi Quattro Coronati. His legacy is shadowed by the abuse crisis: the 2007 settlement with 508 victims ($660 million, a record), and the January 2013 release of memos showing that in 1986–87 he and his aide discussed shielding accused priests from police, after which Archbishop Gómez relieved him of his public and administrative duties — while clarifying he remained a bishop in good standing who kept his cardinal's rights, and who voted in the March 2013 conclave. His motto is “To reconcile God's people.”
Consequential Quotes
What some refer to as a 'vocations crisis' is, rather, one of the many fruits of the Second Vatican Council. It is a sign of God's deep love for the Church.
A terrible sin and crime.
Major Works & Initiatives
The cathedral
Built the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
Archbishop of Los Angeles
Twenty-six years in the largest US archdiocese of its time.
Immigration champion
Promised civil disobedience against H.R. 4437.
Controversies
The abuse files and the 2013 removal from duties
Wikipedia describes Mahony as “a key figure in the cover-up” of the abuse scandal. In Stockton he transferred Fr. Oliver O'Grady between parishes despite abuse accusations; a 1998 jury awarded two O'Grady victims $30 million. In Los Angeles the archdiocese settled with 508 victims for $660 million in 2007. In January 2013, released memos (1986–87, with Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry) showed discussion of shielding accused priests from authorities; on 31 January 2013 Archbishop Gómez relieved Mahony of his remaining public and administrative duties. Gómez later clarified Mahony remained a bishop in good standing. A civil claim filed in 2021 accuses Mahony personally of abuse; such claims remain allegations.