There were some evil men in the Church who simply sought to cover up their own misdeeds and those of their friends. Their sins are on their heads.
There are others who mistakenly believed in the "therapeutic model" so beloved of the shrinks in the 70s . . . instead of the clear teachings of the Church, which has always instructed that these priests should be removed, isolated, and/or laicized immediately. They were foolish to believe the vain promises of the psychiatric profession over the tradition and teaching of their own faith. Some of them, of course didn't really believe in them -- again, a product of the 60s and 70s. Lack of faith -- trust in "science" -- but not evil intent.
But this convoluted theory . . . !?!?!
Who was in charge over Mahony?
...the clear teachings of the Church, which has always instructed that these priests should be removed, isolated, and/or laicized immediately.
I completely agree with that policy, but obviously that didn't happen in the LA archdiocese. How else do you explain Mahony's continued position with the Church - and Mahony's superior's continued position with the Church?