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CNN Live Today
Interview with Cardinal Roger Mahony
Aired June 14, 2002 - 13:54 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: It is hot in Denver and it is hot in Dallas, but for different reasons. In Dallas, all eyes are on the U.S. Bishops' conference, where there, the bishops are expected to have a vote later on today.
And, of course, our Jason Carroll is there, he is watching things there, and he is also joined by Cardinal Roger Mahony on the latest developments out of Dallas there -- hi there, Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good afternoon to you, Fredricka. The bishops have taken a break, a lunch break, and the cardinal from Los Angeles, Roger Mahony, has been gracious enough to join us to try to answer some questions about this morning.
So much of what we saw this morning seemed to be a lot of nuance, a lot of taking small words out of documents. What would you say was the most significant development so far this morning at this conference?
CARDINAL ROGER MAHONY, LOS ANGELES: Well, I think without question the passing of the sentence that speaks to what we would properly refer to as zero tolerance. I'd like to read it, because I think it is the clearest way to do it. It says, diocesan policy will provide that for even a single act of sexual abuse of a minor, past, present, or future, the offending priest or deacon will be permanently removed from ministry, period.
CARROLL: Now, that is like zero tolerance, but you are not actually using the term "zero tolerance."
MAHONY: We have never used the term itself, but that is exactly what it means.
CARROLL: Now, I also want to bring something else up. There is a report from the "National Catholic Reporter," this journalist apparently has spoken to several sources -- unnamed sources at the Vatican, and they say that the idea of zero tolerance will have a tough time here.
Do you think if you adopt a zero tolerance policy here that that is something that the Vatican will ultimately not give its approval to?
MAHONY: Well, let me answer in two ways. Number one, we are adopting this as a policy of the United States on a 2-year basis, after which it will be fine tuned, refined, and then sent to Rome. We are not sending this to Rome right now.
Secondly, all of us at our local diocese, we have the authority already to implement this. This is particular law of Los Angeles, California already, regardless of what the National Conference or what Rome does anyhow.
CARROLL: So basically, also -- basically, what the Vatican says on this issue -- this particular issue of zero tolerance doesn't really hold water simply because the bishops, then, do have the power to adopt some sort of national policy in dealing with priests who abuse children.
MAHONY: Yes, and let me put it another way. They are looking at this purely from a canonical point of view. They do not understand United States law, civil or criminal law that we have to live with and deal with. And so, they are looking at it purely canonically. But we also observe the canonical processes. But we have to also be citizens of the United States and follow the laws here. And that's -- they don't -- not all of them over there understand that.
Nonetheless, we are moving ahead.
CARROLL: Very quickly, for this 2-year policy that you are trying to adopt here, mandatory policy, voluntary policy -- which is it going to be?
MAHONY: No. This is being adopted by all the bishops in the United States in unity, to be implemented effective as soon as it is passed today, for the next two years.
CARROLL: But for it to be a mandatory policy, even for two years, does that need Vatican approval?
MAHONY: No. Because we are adopting it as our policy. We are not asking them. By the way, the charter itself is our own document, never does need Vatican approval. It is the smaller document this afternoon on norms that will need Vatican approval. But, we are going to take time to try this out for a couple of years before we consider submitting it.
CARROLL: All right. Cardinal Roger Mahony from Los Angeles. Thank you very much. Thanks for joining me from my hometown of Los Angeles.
Again, some tough talk here this -- early this morning and also this afternoon. The bishops trying to adopt a zero tolerance policy, even though they are not using the word "zero tolerance" in this draft report in terms of trying to deal with priests and clergy who abuse children.
Again you will be -- the bishops will be meeting again this afternoon, trying to hammer out more details. They will be taking a vote, hopefully, by the end of the day -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right. Thank you very much, Jason, and Cardinal Mahony. We appreciate it.
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