The subject is the unforgivable sin of too many priests. Yes, those who both commit the sins and those who cover for them, all under the guise of religion and “the church.”

At their best, they are seducers. At their worst they are molesters, rapists, perverts and pedophiles.

The list of these bastardized deviates is far too long to detail here, but we can certainly point to a few. Note that the sources are various issues of the Los Angeles Times, and all articles were authored by L.A. Times reporters.

Seventy-year-old Msgr. Thomas J. Curry was brought to the L.A. fold decades ago by bad-guy Archbishop Roger M. Mahoney. Curry, an “academic.” was positioned as – are you ready for this? – human resources director, of sorts. Yes, he oversaw the priests. Curry went on to be regional bishop in Santa Barbara. He stepped down from that only a few days ago, and you can bet your bottom dollar that but for the volume of the scandal, he’d still be there with his swooners who were fooled by his “charm.”

Curry is well-known for his protection of priests and lack of consideration for the victims. He is equally well reputed for his passion over the separation of church and state. He is notably outspoken with his criticisms that government authorities are “overzealous” in their investigations in “targeting” the church. He dismisses the abuses as a “society-wide issue” not to be viewed as a “Catholic Church problem.”

Curry actually spews that the priests’ acts were not as representatives of the church, and that the church had no knowledge of it. Duh. If not for the church, the employees – the priests – would not be in the forum to rape and molest. If that cowardly belief were an authentic defense, no employer, be it a corporation, small company, school, etc., would be responsible for their employees’ conduct.

That defined defense alone should end a truckload of litigation and free up courts across the country.

As for “knowledge,” Curry has repeatedly proven it exists, as exhibited by his written cover-up memos protecting sick-twists like Fr. Kevin Barmasse, suggesting where to move him to avoid litigation from at least one of his victims.

Msgr. Peter Garcia targeted children of illegal immigrants. Curry knew it. Curry sympathized with Msgr. George Neville Rucker who, for one, had molested a little girl; after all, the priest “stayed awake last night,” traumatized by his transfer.

There was the protective shroud for Msgr. Michael Baker, “one of the most notorious pedophile priests” who told church officials decades ago of his abuses. The admissions did not fall under the protection of the confessional. Curry decided it was merely “confidential.” In deposition testimony, Curry felt “disappointed” and “aggrieved” about the vile (my word) acts; said he did not “make a mistake.” He said he bears no responsibility, and that his conscience is clear.

Do you have chills yet?

At the top of this heap is Archbishop Roger M. Mahoney. Mahoney was so deep into the knowledge of the pervasive abuse that it gives the word “travesty” a whole new and larger meaning. The public and authorities now have written documentation that he colluded on such details as what therapist to send the perverts to, to avoid litigation. Mahoney tried for decades, at a cost of millions of dollars, to hire lawyers to avoid the ultimate exposure, all the while knowing of the humongous crimes against the fragile and the defenseless while standing at a pulpit of a multi-million-dollar marble shrine in Los Angeles, sprinkling holy water and speaking of God.

Are you sickened yet?

Mahoney was an active participant in the murders of untold young spirits, trusts and childhoods, and he, to this day, offers no sincere, valid apology for his acts of complicity. He concealed and obstructed to the last moment. He chose to spend millions of dollars on lawyers to aid his twisted goal, yet his judgment is so absent, he apparently never considered using the same money and lawyers to get advice on how to stop the crimes that were destroying countless lives.

Mahoney sees himself as a victim with his whining of “I just didn’t know how to handle all of this.” Yet before landing in L.A., he was head of the Stockton diocese where he dealt with three clergy abuse cases and reported one to the police. What happened with L.A.? Was it more important to him to head the new L.A. Catholic marble shrine? Would it have ended his pursuit to be a future pope? Whatever the answer, you can bet it is totally self-centered and self-serving.

Be left with two things from Mahoney: “It remains my daily prayer that God’s grace will flood the heart and soul of each victim, and that their life journey continues forward with greater healing.” Later, “I am sorry.” It’s the elephant in the room. Sorry for what, specifically? Note there is no prayer for his own soul – if there is one.

I am sorry, too. Sorry that we have a statute of limitations for crimes against children and for rape and such molestations, and for the fact that not one of these despicable beasts is in prison – with no special protections and all of the gang knowing why they are their bunkmates.

The frosting on the cake is that Mahoney has had his wrist slapped through his removal from daily duties as a good priest – but with the loud and clear continuing pronouncements that Archbishop Roger M. Mahoney remains “a priest in good standing.” So good, in fact, his carcass is in Rome, using his judgment to select the next pope.

Some have merely shrugged and excused these evildoers as, “Everyone makes mistakes.” Mistakes? That is a whole ‘nother commentary.

Where’s the outrage?

Betty Arenson has lived in the SCV since 1968 and describes herself as a conservative who’s concerned about progressives’ politics and their impacts on the country, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She says she is unashamed to own a gun or a Bible, couldn’t care less about the color of the president’s skin, and demands that he uphold his oath to protect and follow the Constitution of the United States in its entirety. Her commentary publishes Fridays.