priorities

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Sep 14, 2004

Cardinal Roger M. Mahony is not exactly filling laypeople with faith in the credibility of the church. His efforts to block prosecutors' access to personnel files on priests accused of sexual abuse "did little to enhance the reputation of the church in the United States for transparency and cooperation," concluded a Catholic national review board. Mahony should display whatever moral leadership he has left, call off his lawyers and let the criminal justice system do its job.

That's the lead from today's Los Angeles Times editorial on the Archbishop. Not edifying. However, on balance it's been a positive media day for Mahony, as he gets good ink in the same issue for his creative use of the new cathedral as a multi-purpose gathering space.

A memorial service for Los Angeles civic leader Ira Yellin, the son of an Orthodox rabbi, was held at the cathedral after his death in 2002. Later, Yellin received a posthumous award from the American Institute of Architects at an architectural awards gala that was also staged there. ...

The cathedral has also been the setting for a Los Angeles Master Chorale concert, several organ concerts, the five-day American Guild of Organists national convention, a Catholic art and architecture conference, and for the ordination of an Episcopal auxiliary bishop.

Rumor has it that the Blessed Sacrament is also reserved on the premises.