Archdiocese of Los Angeles Settles for 10 Million Dollars

Tuesday’s first vote in the Sistine Chapel produced black smoke signifying no new Pope had been chosen. While the Cardinals of the Catholic Church are in Conclave in Vatican City, the most scandalous issue facing the new Pope had some closure in Los Angeles Tuesday.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles will pay almost 10 million dollars to settle 4 sexual abuse charges.

Church attorney J. Michael Hennigan announced that the Archdiocese will pay 9.9 million dollars in the alleged abuse cases by former priest Michael Baker.

Files recently released show that Baker met with Cardinal Roger Mahony in 1986 and admitted he had molested two brothers for almost seven years. Mahony sent Baker for psychological treatment, and eventually placed him back in the ministry. He molested again.

He was convicted of sexual misconduct with one boy in 2007. Two of the latest plaintiffs are his brothers.

Cardinal Mahony is one of the 115 Cardinals in Conclave.

James Turnage

Columnist-The Guardian Express