One of the most powerful Catholic leaders in the USA, Cardinal Mahony, has been relieved of his duties for failing to protect teens, children from abusive priests 
 
 In this 2007 file photo, Cardinal Roger Mahony speaks during an annual multi-ethnic migration Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. "Even when Cardinal [Bernard] Law was removed in Boston, which was arguably for the same offenses, this kind of gesture was not made," he said. "I find these files to be brutal and painful reading," Gómez said in a statement, referring to the newly released files made public by the church Thursday night just hours after a judge's order. The behavior described in these files is terribly sad and evil," Gomez wrote in a letter addressed to "My brothers and sisters in Christ." "Gómez also said Thomas Curry, former vicar of the clergy under Mahony who was the cardinal's point person in dealing with priests accused of molestation, has stepped down from his current job as auxiliary bishop for the archdiocese's Santa Barbara region. Political scientist and Jesuit priest Thomas Reese opn Friday called it "unprecedented for an archbishop to limit the ministry of his predecessor and publicly take him to task like this. An archdiocese spokesman, Tod Tamberg, told the Los Angeles Times that 'beyond canceling his confirmation schedule', Mahony could continue to offer Mass at his North Hollywood parish, and remain a "priest in good standing." Mahony and Curry both issued apologies, with the cardinal saying he had not realized the extent of harm done to children until he met with victims during civil litigation. The announcement came as the church posted on its website tens of thousands of pages of previously secret personnel files for 122 priests accused of molesting children. Pope Benedict XVI should remove Mahony from the College of Cardinals." Were it not for his role in covering up for abuse, his legacy would 
 
 Bishop Robert W. Finn of Missouri, who was convicted last September of failing to report a priest suspected of abuse to authorities, has remained in office and unpunished by the church despite his unprecedented guilty plea. To tell a cardinal he can't do confirmations, can't do things in public, that's extraordinary," said the Rev. He can continue to celebrate Mass and will be eligible to vote for pope until he turns 80 two years from now, Tamberg said.
– The former archbishop of Los Angeles has been removed from all public duties due to the central role he played in the coverup of child abuse. Tens of thousands of pages revealing the extent of the abuse crisis, now posted on the church's website, are "brutal and painful reading. The behavior described in these files is terribly sad and evil," said current archbishop Jose Gomez. The public action against Cardinal Roger Mahony—which comes within hours of the documents' court-ordered release—is "unprecedented" within the American Catholic Church, according to the Los Angeles Times. "To tell a cardinal he can't do confirmations, can't do things in public, that's extraordinary," says a Jesuit priest. While his confirmation schedule has been wiped, Mahony's daily life won't look much different, says an archdiocese spokesman, noting that the retired priest will stay "a priest in good standing" and can still celebrate Mass. The leading victim's group isn't happy with the outcome, USA Today notes. "Hand-slapping Cardinal Roger Mahony is a nearly meaningless gesture," says a rep. A bishop who aided in the coverup has also resigned, Gomez said.