Give it a rest! He admitted he didn't do all he should. He admitted that the Diocese depended too much on the word of the psychologists and other professionals who reported that these men were OK to go back into ministry. He admitted that the Church was too soft on these men and treated what they did as SINFUL rather than as CRIMINAL. He admitted that as Bishop he looked as these men as a father would look as his sons in need of rebuke and not as the DA looking for arrest and conviction.
What never seems to be mentioned in all the press about 'what did the Cardinal know and when did he know it' is that all through the years, any one could have brought criminal charges against any of these abusers. Why didn't this happen? I'd heard that charges WERE considered against both Shanley and Geoghan at one point, but never followed up because these men were supporters of local Democrat politicans, and got protection from them. Maybe THAT should have been investigated by the Globe, but I don't think it ever was. In fact, the Globe was very supportive of Paul Shanley in his role as one of the movers and shakers of NAMBLA in the Boston area. I guess they didn't want to go after one of their own. Even now, I don't believe they've spent as much ink on HIM, who actually DID bugger young men, as they have on Cardinal Law who made the mistake of trying to help these offending priests get over their problems.
OK. He admitted he did all of that. But, just because he admitted his terrible sins, you think he deserves an honor and a reward? I think he deserves disgrace and shame (in this world) for what he admitted.