Cardinal Mahony, criticized for his handling of priest sexual abuse cases, is expected to assist during the closing of the pope's casket at St. Peter’s Basilica and at his burial service.
**Controversial Cardinal Set to Participate in Pope Francis’ Funeral Ceremonies**

**Controversial Cardinal Set to Participate in Pope Francis’ Funeral Ceremonies**
Amid allegations of past misconduct, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony will have a key role in the farewell of the late Pope Francis.
Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, a prominent figure with a controversial past, is slated to have a significant role in the funeral ceremonies for Pope Francis, who passed away recently. This official participation comes despite Mahony's history of being accused of concealing instances of sexual abuse by priests during his tenure as the archbishop of Los Angeles from 1985 to 2011. According to the Vatican’s announcements, Mahony will play a critical role in the closing of the late pope's casket at St. Peter’s Basilica and during the subsequent burial at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
The selection of cardinal participants was conducted based on seniority, as stated by Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni in a recent briefing. At the age of 89, Mahony has become a notable figure not only for his liturgical expertise but also for the harsh criticisms he faced after internal church files disclosed his involvement in suppressing allegations of sexual abuse against clergy members. The released documents suggested a systematic effort by Mahony and other church leaders to shield abusive priests from accountability, as well as to prevent evidence of misconduct from being shared with law enforcement officials.
These revelations emerged prominently in 2013 as part of a civil litigation concerning the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which operates within the jurisdiction of the largest Catholic community in the United States. The archdiocese's actions included relocating priests accused of child molestation to receive treatment in states where mandatory reporting laws did not apply. The fallout from these actions led to significant financial settlements, with the archdiocese agreeing to a record $660 million payout in 2007 to compensate over 500 abuse victims. Another agreement was reached last year for an additional $880 million settlement involving 1,353 individuals.
Mahony’s upcoming participation in the pope's funeral underscores ongoing debates regarding accountability within the Catholic Church and the narratives entwined in its leadership hierarchy.