More to testify against Cardinal's pal

Father Michael Wempe, who goes on trial January 17 for allegedly molesting a boy at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the early 1990s, will face eight additional accusers in court, the LA Times reported on December 15.

A judge has ruled that the men may testify that Father Wempe molested them decades ago. State law lets prosecutors use testimony about a defendant's past in a current sex-abuse trial. The men are among 13 victims whom Father Wempe has admitted abusing.

Father Wempe was a classmate of Cardinal Mahony at St. John's Seminary. In the late 1980s Mahony moved him to Cedars-Sinai after the accused molester underwent "pedophile treatment." The May 2, 2002, LA New Times said the Cardinal didn't inform hospital officials about the allegations against the priest. Later, stated the paper, Mahony asserted he didn't know Cedars-Sinai had a children's unit. In 2000, the New Times added, Mahony was the star guest at a hospital luncheon honoring Father Wempe, whom the LA Times says prosecutors have branded a "master" child molester.