Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, who faced allegations of covering up sexual abuse by priests during his tenure as the archbishop of Los Angeles, will participate in the funeral ceremonies for Pope Francis, despite controversy over his involvement. Documents revealed that Mahony and others protected abusive priests and withheld evidence from law enforcement, leading to significant settlements by the Los Angeles Archdiocese. His participation in the papal funeral has sparked criticism from abuse victim advocates, highlighting ongoing concerns about accountability within the Catholic Church. Cardinal Mahony, once a powerful figure in the American church, was disciplined by his successor but continued to engage in church and political issues, maintaining his stance on various social matters. Although he cannot vote in the election for the next pope due to age restrictions, he remains active in church activities during the mourning period for Pope Francis.

Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, accused of covering up priest sexual abuse cases, is set to play a significant role in the funeral ceremonies for Pope Francis, including closing the casket and participating in the burial rites at significant basilicas.

Mahony was the archbishop of Los Angeles from 1985 to 2011, during which time internal church files revealed his involvement in shielding abusive priests from punishment and withholding evidence from law enforcement, actions that led to major financial settlements by the Archdiocese.

The decision to include Mahony in the papal funeral ceremonies has been met with criticism from victim advocacy groups, who view his role as indicative of insufficient change within the church regarding accountability for abuse cover-ups.

After the release of the church documents, Mahony expressed regret and claimed naivety regarding the effectiveness of treatments for abusers, stating he was unprepared for the backlash and his subsequent humiliation.

Despite being disciplined by his successor and stripped of public duties, Mahony continued to partake in significant church events and voice his opinions on political issues, such as immigration and abortion rights.

The controversy surrounding Mahony's involvement in the papal funeral underscores the broader challenges the Catholic Church faces in addressing its history of abuse and maintaining credibility with its followers.

While Cardinal Mahony is not eligible to vote in the upcoming papal election due to age restrictions, he remains a visible figure in the church during the mourning period for Pope Francis, representing the Los Angeles Archdiocese.