Posted on 04/08/2005 2:56:33 PM PDT by cowtowney
Cardinal Bernard Law The Vatican has granted a prominent role in the Pope's funeral rituals to a U.S. cardinal who was forced to resign amid accusations that he protected sexually-abusive priests.
Cardinal Bernard Law, the former archbishop of Boston, will celebrate Mass on one of the nine days of mourning for Pope John Paul II.
Some American Catholics feel this privilege represents the Vatican's lack of recognition of the abuse scandal that rocked the U.S. Catholic Church.
Cardinal Law resigned from his Boston post in 2002, when it became known that his archdiocese simply transferred priests who had been accused of abuse to other parishes.
Last year, Cardinal Law was granted a post at one of the main basilicas in Rome. It is through this position that he was given a role in the Pope's funeral masses.
He will have also have a say in the selection of the next pope
Can sinners be forgiven?
I am in complete agreement. I cringed when I saw him on TV today- and wondered if he's truly grasped the significance of his actions (and lack of).
Thus, no sensitivity to those who were hurt, exalting someone of this calibre, leaves room for questions to the legitimacy of the understanding how DEEP this will affect those who had hoped for some truth and justice.
I agree.
The fact that Law is being allowed to pick the new Pope is unseemly.
It does give the appearance that the Church doesn't care one bit about this issue...unless it affects them economically.
Though Cardinal Law was never accused of sex abuse himself, his action bring disrepute to the Church just as much.
Law. One vote of 116. No one should worry yet...
Only if they repent. There is no forgiveness for unrepentant, willful sins
Also, sinners like Law should be removed from their position.
Don't flame me here, but my first thought when I read the article was that he would name Michael Jackson, Pope!!!
Sorry, I know that is in bad taste, but so is having Law help name the next Pope!
Law will give his vote to the one who most wants to cover up the pedophile problem. That's a no-brainer.
unless they elect him Pope... let's face it (and this comment may not be popular with Catholics), but John Paul II was a saintly figure... but many past Popes have been quite vile and evil. There is no guarantee that JPII's replacement will be any good.
I hope you're being facetious. This isn't anti-Catholic bigotry. Law belonged in jail. Period. Everyone on earth will face a higher authority eventually, but that doesn't make him or anyone else exempt from our laws.
I'm Catholic, and frankly embarrassed that Law and Mahoney (our local cardinal) will have a vote. I only take solace in the fact that they represent less than 2% of the vote, so they won't swing it given the 2/3 majority required.
Has he shown contrition for his sins?
"As far as "putting his butt in jail", keep in mind that the Church answers to a Higher Law than secular society."
Whlie they do ALSO answer to a higher authority, that doesn't mean they are above civil law.
Cardinal Law should be rotting in jail right now, for allowing those gay pedophiles to attack the children of Boston. And, as much as I hate to agree with Clinton, the Pope does leave a "mixed legacy" for his failure to crack down on pedophilia (which has proven to be widespread in many dioceses across the world.)
The burial of Pius XII was to be the symbol for the begin of of satan's rule over the catholic church.
"More anti-Catholic bigotry"
Gimme a break. I'm pro-Catholic. You have to clean house to make it stronger, not cover this stuff up. And you have to show your faithful that you are cleaning it up. The Pope called it a crime. That makes Law a criminal.
"Handled it internally"
What a joke! He's in Rome electing the next Pope. Is that "handling it"?
Cardinal Law condoned and facilitated the rape of children. He did this for years.
John Paul II transferred Cardinal Law to a position of responsibility in Rome. Kicking the culprit upstairs hardly constitutes "handling it internally."
This is the black spot on John Paul II's 26 year pontificate.
You can reply privately if you prefer. I just hate to see that number written because the devil loves the recognition, whether it is for a positive or negative reason. Please, don't take any offense, it is just my curiosity.
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