Search for successor to LA’s Cardinal Roger Mahony has begun

Search under way for Cardinal Mahony’s successor

LOS ANGELES — The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles is confirming that a search is under way for a successor to Cardinal Roger Mahony.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the largest diocese in the United States and is a prominent post for any church leader.

Mahony turns 74 on Feb. 27. Under church rules, bishops submit their resignation at age 75 to the pope, who then decides whether to keep a bishop on the job longer.

Auxiliary Bishop Edward Clark notified pastoral staff of the news in a memo Wednesday and included a prayer to be recited by parishioners for the success of the selection process.

The memo was first posted on the Catholic Web site Whispers in the Loggia. Tod Tamberg, a spokesman for the archdiocese, confirmed the prayer was distributed.