L.A. Archdiocese To 508 Sexually Abused Roman Catholics: “Our Bad!”

Rather than face decades-old sexual abuse allegations in court today, the Los Angeles branch of the Roman Catholic Church apologized yesterday to 508 victims it has agreed to pay a record-shattering $660 million group settlement. As leader of the country’s largest archdiocese, Cardinal Roger Mahoney (seen here with vintage Pierce Brosnan) threw in some lip service to boot:

There really is no way to go back and give them that innocence that was taken from them. Once again, I apologize to anyone who has been offended, who has been abused. It should not have happened, and it will not happen again.

Of course, it won’t–until the priests in question get ‘that itch’ again wherever they’re relocated. Nevertheless, hats off to these Angelenos for turning the tables on the Church and sticking it where the sun don’t shine.

LA cardinal apologizes, offers record abuse deal [Reuters]
Image [Catholics In Media]