A moment of truth for the Catholic Church is at hand as cardinals travel to Rome to select a new Pope. Expected to participate is disgraced and disgraceful former Los Angeles Archbishop, now Cardinal Roger Mahony.

Mahony was a key cog in the vast criminal conspiracy in which molester priests were shielded rather than brought to justice, shamefully shuffled from parish to parish in order to enable them to evade justice and detection.  Mahony has apologized for his actions, asserting that he did not recognize the long-term effects on a child that has been molested. Does anyone believe him?

Mahony's successor took the rare step of condemning him and ordering that he not participate in public events as an official representative of the Church.  Mahony has not, however, been defrocked or brought to justice.

Mahony's victims have said that he is lucky not to be in jail, and I concur.   If he is permitted to have a hand in selecting the new Pope, the Church will demonstrate that it is not ready to reverse the damage and horror inflicted upon the myriad victims of its criminal priests, that it still does not get it.