On February 15, Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph.D., Founder and President of the Ruth Institute, sent a letter to Cardinal Roger Mahony, asking him to
withdraw as a speaker at the upcoming Los Angeles Religious Education Congress (March 21-24).
In her letter, Morse notes her work as an advocate for survivors of the sexual revolution, many of whom have suffered from childhood sexual abuse.
“Rightly or wrongly, they see you as a symbol of the mishandling of the sexual abuse of children by the clergy,” Morse told Mahony.
Cardinal Mahony was archbishop of Los Angeles from 1985 to 2011. In 2013, he was barred from any public ministry in Los Angeles by his successor, Archbishop
Jose Gomez.
At the time, an article in the National Catholic Reporter said the move reflected, “Mahony’s alleged failures to protect young people from sexually
abusive priests – documented in court filings in recent years.”
In light of this, Morse said it was difficult to comprehend why Mahony was invited to address the Congress in the first place and that his appearance
at an event geared in part to youth is “deeply hurtful” to victims of clerical abuse.
Morse told the Cardinal that withdrawing from speaking at the Congress “would show respect for the feelings of people who have already suffered too
much.”
The Ruth Institute is the sponsor of an online petition calling for Cardinal Mahony’s withdrawal.
The Ruth Institute is a global non-profit organization that defends the family at home
and in the public square, while equipping others to do the same.
To schedule an interview with Dr. Morse, write to media@ruthinstitute.org.