Cardinal accused in U.S. claims,
e-mails ‘leaked’ and broadcast

  WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Los Angeles Cardinal Roger M. Mahony has categorically denied the claim of a psychologically disturbed woman that he molested her 32 years ago when she was in high school.
  He urged law enforcement and Church authorities to investigate the claims thoroughly and quickly.
  The woman's allegation against one of the country's highest-ranked Catholic leaders marked a new turn in a growing Church scandal over clergy sexual abuse in which new developments occur almost daily.
  Cardinal Mahony, 66, has headed the Los Angeles Archdiocese since 1985.
  Flora Mae Hickman, 51, of Fresno, California, approached a Fresno priest in late March claiming that she was molested by then-Monsignor Mahony in 1970, when she was a student at San Joaquin Memorial Catholic High School.

  The Associated Press, which interviewed her on April 6 [2002], said she "offered no details of what she claims Mahony actually did." It reported that she said she was knocked unconscious in a fight with students at school and awoke to find the bottom portion of her clothing removed and Msgr. Mahony standing over her.
  AP added, "Hickman also said she is taking medication for depression and has been told by a psychiatrist that she is a paranoid schizophrenic."
  It added that she "could not remember details" of the alleged event but insisted that "the charges are true."
  Journalists learned of the allegation when several confidential e-mails from Cardinal Mahony's office were leaked to media on April 5.
  In one leaked e-mail he reportedly spoke of his willingness to be interviewed by Fresno police. He reported the allegation to the Los Angeles police the day he received it.
  The leaked e-mails themselves became a news story over the next few days.
  The archdiocese called them stolen privileged communications.
  He unsuccessfully sought court action to prevent further dissemination after a local radio station began broadcasting their contents.