Los Angeles, Calif., Dec 5, 2007 / 09:23 am
Cardinal Roger Mahony, the Archbishop of Los Angeles, announced to a conference of priests that he had been attacked by a man angry about the sexual abuse scandal, the Los Angeles Daily News reported yesterday.
According to Father Sal Pilato, a high school principal who attended the October conference, the cardinal said that the attack occurred in July near Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral. He was dropping off letters at a mailbox when a man recognized him, began shouting expletives and knocked the cardinal to the ground.
"It was shocking because it was an act of violence and it was someone we know and respect,” said Father Pilato.
Cardinal Mahony reportedly was telling the priests they all had a price to pay for the sexual abuses perpetrated by other clergy. He relayed the story of the assault as an example of the personal toll he's endured, several priests said.