Cardinal Mahoney Knew of Rev. Michael Baker Abuse

As reported by KTLA and Southern California Public Radio, a legal deposition was released for the first time that explains why Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony didn't speak up about Rev. Michael Baker's admission of guilt in the molestation of two young boys in 1986.

Baker told Mahony during a priest's retreat that the molestation occurred from 1978 to 1985, and is recorded in church documents.  Mahony said he didn't warn parishioners because the now de-frocked and jailed priest told him that the two boys were illegal immigrants and had already returned to Mexico.  Mahony also said that he didn't know who the victims were and that the sexual abuse had occurred outside of church walls. 

Mahony did not notify the police, or send Baker to the residential facility set up to treat priests for sexual abuse, before returning him to a restricted ministry.

A federal grand jury is investigating the Catholic Church for how it handles sexual abuse allegations. A National Public Radio investigation contends that Mahony, his officials or his review board, all failed to act responsibly.

In the years since, Baker has been assigned to no less than nine parishes, though forbidden to be alone with children.  He has violated his restrictions three times, as is recorded in church personnel file summaries.

Baker was finally removed from the priesthood in 2000.  At that time two men had come forward with lawsuits alleging the his abuse between 1984 and 1999. 

Cardinal Mahony was questioned about one of these victims, the now grown "Luis C", in a deposition.  His witnessing of the young boy "descending from the rectory stairs and entering Baker's bedroom" a direct violation of the archdiocese orders for Baker to have no contact with children. 

Tod Tamberg, spokesperson for the archdiocese, told the LA Times that there was "nothing of substance" in Mahony's testimony.   Tamberg has fought the release of the court's documents stating that the case, awarding Luis C. $2.2 million, has already been settled out of court.

Mahony apologized, in the first proof of his handling of the Baker allegations, to Baker's victim and the community, "I believed too readily in Baker's contrition, and in our ability to treat and monitor him effectively.  The past has informed the present, however, and I have made sure that our sexual abuse prevention policies and procedures will keep our children and young people safe from predators like Michael Baker."

Mahony has told abuse attorney John Manly, "The challenge is trying to look at 1986 through the lenses of 2010, as more proactive measures are taken now after reports of abuse."

Baker is serving 10 years in prison and, per the archdiocese, awaits the civil claims from 23 more victims. 

The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has paid $660 million to more than 500 victims in cases that go back as far as the 1940's.

If you or a loved one has suffered due to priest abuse, contact a qualified criminal defense attorney near you.