Posted on 04/26/2002 11:03:22 AM PDT by history_matters
PHILADELPHIA - Embattled Boston archbishop Bernard Cardinal Law, under siege from the epic sex scandal threatening his 18-year legacy, will likely be replaced and sent to the Vatican by the beginning of June, according to sources.
Law, who arrived in Newark, N.J., yesterday after the historic two-day conclave of American cardinals at the Vatican, will be reassigned by Pope John Paul II to an as-yet determined position prior to a scheduled deposition of Law in a legal suit against the archdiocese, according to church officials.
``There will be a promotion by June at the latest,'' said one source. ``They will not have him subjected to a recorded deposition.''
One source said the pope is trying to rescue Law, who has been one of the Holy Father's favorite appointments, according to observers. Much of the public attention during the meetings in Rome was focused on Law and whether he should resign.
By reassigning Law, church officials and Law would avoid the stigma attached to a resignation under fire as well as continue to deny the resignation was considered.
``(The pope) genuinely likes him,'' said one church official. ``(Vatican officials) are still trying to find a place for him. They don't want to see him getting hammered like this.''
Moving Law to Rome by June would also take some of the pressure off American bishops who are scheduled to meet in Dallas that month to debate national standards for dealing with pedophile priests.
``(Law) would be the 500-pound gorilla'' in Dallas, said one official. ``With him gone to Rome, the discussions can be much more frank and direct.''
Law avoided reporters during the extraordinary cardinals' meeting in Rome earlier this week as well as yesterday. But as he departed Rome yesterday morning, he quashed rumors that his ``resignation'' was part of the discussions with his colleagues or the aging pontiff.
``You mentioned my resignation. That never came up,'' said Law, who has been under pressure Both in Boston and nationally to step down. ``I particularly was grateful for the Holy Father's talk. I think it was excellent. Very good spirit. Very frank, very open.''
The Herald reported earlier this month that Law offered his resignation, but was rebuffed for fear of causing a domino effect among other cardinals and bishops swept up in the growing cleric sexual abuse tempest. Law confirmed he made a secret trip to the Vatican where he discussed his resignation with his mentor, John Paul, but no action was taken.
The Los Angeles Times earlier this week reported that an unnamed cardinal would lobby the pope's inner circle to accept Law's resignation, but all the cardinals at the conclave publicly denied asking for Law to step down. The Times reported yesterday that an unidentified cardinal delivered a message during the meetings to the pope's deputies asking for Law's resignation.
William Cardinal Keeler of Baltimore said in Newark yesterday that Law was animated and ``very engaged'' during the closed meetings.
``I was delighted with the contributions he made,'' said Keeler. But, he added, Law has been deeply affected by the anger over his handling of priests who molest.
``He has taken it hard,'' said Keeler.
The outcry over Law's handling of the scandal, which shows no signs of abating, has begun to have an effect on church-related fund-raising. At least three corporations that have given to Catholic Charities' Boston branch in the past rejected its requests for a total of $800,000 within the past month specifically because of the scandal.
The not-for-profit, the state's largest private social service agency, has also seen a 10 percent drop in donations to its spring fund-raising campaign.
Law, whose only public appearance in Boston in the past several weeks was celebrating Mass last Sunday at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, is expected at a fund-raising dinner in Philadelphia tonight hosted by Anthony Cardinal Bevilaqua.
Law, who apologized to his fellow cardinals for being the cause of the historic gathering, did not attend the final press conference announcing the meeting's conclusions Wednesday evening.
``It was rather late, you know,'' he told reporters at Rome's airport. ``I had other things to do.''
Law is slated to celebrate Mass in Boston on Sunday.
Criticism of the summary of the cardinals' meetings continued to flow yesterday, many decrying the lack of a zero-tolerance policy. The cardinals instead proposed an expedited process for ``notorious . . . serial'' pedophiles and recommended adherence to canon law for first-time offenders.
At the start of the conclave, the pope issued his strongest statement about sexual abuse of minors, calling it a ``crime'' and saying there is no place in the church ``for those who would harm the young.'' But that did little to mollify those looking for swifter and stronger action against molesters.
``What came out of Rome was two revelations: sexual abuse of children is a crime and it won't be tolerated,'' said Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas Reilly. ``That's not news to law enforcement. These are crimes. Where have they been?''
Marie Szaniszlo and Herald wire services contributed to this report.
What does he know? That the Pope personally planned 9/11? To whatever extent Cardinal Law ignored perpetrators and moved them around, he is guilty, but I think these conspiravy theories are going overboard. Where any of the victims secretly assasinated?
No, but what if the Pope knew all about the NAMBLA guy and did nothing about it?
And, as I said, if Law testifies, he either has to lie, take the Fifth Amendement, or open himself up to criminal prosecution. Talk about a PR disaster for the Church.
Does Vatican City have an extradition treaty with the US for crimes of this type? If not, that is another reason for him to join Marc Rich on the lam.
Nothng would be worse PR than hiding Law in the Vatican. It won't happen.
Here's an article on Marcinkus, where he is studied as a suspect in the possible murder of Pope John Paul I:
Paul Casimir Marcinkus (nickname: The Gorilla)
He was born January 15, 1922 in Cicero, Illinois, and ordained a priest in 1947. He received a Doctorate in canon law from Gregorian University, Rome and was posted to the English section of the Vatican Secretary of State's office, Rome.
After tours of duty in Canada and Bolivia, in 1959 he was appointed to the Secretary of State's department, Rome.
In 1964 he became the bodyguard to Pope Paul VI, acquiring the nickname, "The Gorillla." After accompanying the pope on several trips he had become also a personal translator and security advisor. Marcinkus became personal friends with the pope's secretary, Father Pasquale Macchi.
Several years later, he was made a bishop by Pope Paul VI and immediately made secretary of the Vatican Bank. Marcinkus had no previous banking experience! Pp. 102-105.
In 1973 he was investigated by the F.B.I. for direct involvement in money laundering of mafia money through the Vatican Bank.
On Sept. 28, 1978 Marcinkus found that he was to be replaced as head of the Vatican Bank by Msgr. Abbo on September 29.
Sept. 29. 6:45 a.m. Marcinkus in the courtyard near the Vatican Bank is told that Pope Jean Paul I had been found dead. Marcinkus's residence was not inside the Vatican; it's a 20 minute drive away. He was not known to be an early riser. His presence in the Vatican at that hour was never explained.
On Sept. 28, 1981, Pope John Paul II promoted Marcinkus to archbishop and pro-president of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City (a virtual governorship). He retained his post as head of the Vatican Bank.
Despite motive and access, Yallop does not place Marcinkus high on the suspect list.
Whatever happen to "Render unto Caesar"?
If this "High Priest" doesn't have to answer up for his shortcomings and offenses and can be saved and promoted by the "Capo de Tutti Capo", why should any catholic be required to go to Confession for their sins.
I am a Lifelong Catholic and I am starting to lose respect for the Pope on this one.
It only shows how One evil Man (Law) can drag the whole bunch down.
NO MORE DONATIONS.
Why don't they just put Cardinal Mahony's name in the story; it's pretty clear that he's the "unnamed cardinal" here.
What a self-righteous, arrogant prig. What "other things to do" could possibly be more important than showing up at that press conference?
I have little respect for obsequious enablers like Keeler of Baltimore, who feels more empathy for Law than he does for the 1000 victims of the vile Boston pedophile priests.
Right now, all American and Vatican Cardinals are on my list of least-trusted persons, somewhere on the scale below used car salesmen and defense attorneys.
Law will not resign, and he can't be forced to resign unless found guilty, which will take months or years of appeals. But you can be kicked upstairs to a "higher" post, and if you refuse to follow it, you can be forced out.
They do this in business all the time.
Sounds like the pope is REALLY pissed at Law over this.
I hate to tell this guy, it's tolorated all the time. I see a lot of girls who are abused or have been abused in the past, and no one has put the bastard in jail. Ever listen to Dr. Laura where a woman calls and asks if she should keep in contact with her relative who abused her, or allow him contact with her kid? Nearly every week there is a case.
My last case was three days ago: The "father" of the girl got counselling,not jail, and still lives with her mother. The girl is now 21 and came in for pills because she is depressed...
Let me guess......... in charge of ethics?
I've been very supportive of the Catholic Church, even though I'm not Catholic, but the Church is really dropping the ball here.
Their logic looks very much like politicans in Washington. Completely out of touch with reality.
What they need to declare is.. ONE STRIKE AND YOU'RE OUT
I believe what we have in this "announcement" is what Andrew Greeley describes as directing the Vatican from abroad. Someone puts forward the idea that the Vatican is going to do something; the story makes its way to the Vatican, and in short order it becomes a done deed.
(Before all this I never thought I'd refer to Andrew Greeley at all. Strange times...)
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