Washington: An association of US Catholics (click here) has launched a petition to keep a retired Los Angeles cardinal mired in a paedophilia scandal from taking part in the conclave that will choose the next pope.
The group, Catholics United, is targeting Roger Mahony, who last month was relieved of all church administrative and public duties for mishandling abuse claims against dozens of priests, dating back to the 1980s.
"Cardinal Mahony: Stay Home," the online petition reads.
"Your further implication in the church sex abuse scandal and being barred from public ministry in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles should be an indication to you that you should not attend the next Papal Conclave."
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Cardinal Mahony was stripped of his duties by his successor, Archbishop Jose Gomez, who took over for him in 2011.
"If a Cardinal is stripped of public ministry in his diocese, why should he be rewarded with being allowed to vote for the next pope?" the group asked.
"Cardinal Mahony would further increase the scandal and shame in our Church by attending the Papal Conclave."...
