Mahony dedicates chapel to sex abuse victims

National Catholic Reporter, June 6, 2003

Dedicating a chapel in the new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels to the victims of clergy sex abuse, Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles said it would help the church heal from a devastating sex abuse scandal. "We need to get this resolved," he told reporters after the surprise dedication.

The chapel, one of 10 alcoves in the $189 million cathedral, includes a prayer table, candles and bulletin board where the photos of victims can be posted. A painting of a farmer tending crops includes the words, "Justice shall look down from the heavens."

"The stories filled us with anger, sadness and disappointment," Mahony said during the Mass. "It also filled us with a resolve to do all that is humanly possible to eliminate the scourge of abuse from our church and to ensure the safety of all of our people."

Some victims' advocates, however, dismissed the dedication as a public relations stunt. Mary Grant, regional coordinator for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said she was never told about the new chapel. "I think Cardinal Mahony knew that if victims were aware of this ahead of time, they'd be here telling parishioners that real change needs to happen--and that the priests who abused them are not yet behind bars."