Posted on 04/07/2005 4:09:47 PM PDT by StoneColdGOP
VATICAN CITY - Cardinal Bernard Law, who resigned in disgrace as archbishop of Boston over his role in the clergy sex abuse crisis, has been given a role of honor in the mourning for Pope John Paul II.
The Vatican announced Thursday he will lead one of the daily Masses celebrated in the pope's memory during the nine-day period that follows the funeral, called Novemdiales. The service will be held Monday at St. Mary Major Basilica, where Law was appointed archpriest after leaving Boston.
Some Catholics in his former archdiocese immediately protested.
Suzanne Morse, spokeswoman for Voice of the Faithful, a Newton, Mass.-based reform group that emerged from the abuse scandal, said Law's visibility since the pope's death has been ``extremely painful'' both for abuse survivors and rank-and-file Catholics.
``It certainly shows and puts a spotlight on the lack of accountability in the Catholic Church, that the most visible bishop in the clergy sexual abuse crisis has been given these honorary opportunities,'' she said.
John King, 40, of Metheun, Mass., was a victim of the Rev. Ronald H. Paquin, a convicted rapist who was defrocked by the Vatican.
``It's a sad state of affairs,'' he said. ``They're just trying to make this go away, but I don't see how there's going to be any change now.''
David Clohessy, national director for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, called it ``terribly insensitive.''
``It rubs salt into the already deep wounds of victims and it allows the best-documented complicit bishop to exploit the pope's death for his own selfish purposes,'' Clohessy said.
Law did not respond to a phone message left at the basilica.
He stepped down as archbishop 11 months after a judge unsealed court records in January 2002 that showed he had allowed priests with confirmed histories of molesting children to continue working in parishes.
Among the records were letters Law had written to some of the predators expressing support and thanks for their service to the church.
Many Boston Catholics already were upset about the pope's decision to appoint him to the basilica. The post is ceremonial but highly visible; the church is one of four basilicas under direct Vatican jurisdiction.
``I don't know what right he has saying a Mass of any kind, never mind for the pope,'' said Alexa McPherson, 30, who settled a lawsuit against the archdiocese alleging she was molested by the Rev. Peter Kanchong at St. Margaret's church in Dorchester. ``He shouldn't even be there. He should be in Boston behind bars.''
Chester Gillis, an expert in Catholicism at Georgetown University, said celebrating a Mass during the mourning period is not only an honor, but a position of influence.
In their homilies, cardinals usually indicate what they think are the key issues for the church ahead. Observers scour the speeches for clues to how a cardinal will vote.
``This is an ability to express oneself to one's colleagues all at one time,'' Gillis said.
Mitchell Garabedian, a Boston attorney who has represented more than 200 people who sued the church over alleged sexual abuse by priests, said Law's resurfacing has brought a new round of pain to victims.
``It clearly is an insult and a slap in the face,'' he said. ``Apparently the Vatican has taken the position that the clergy sexual abuse scandal must be swept under the rug.''
Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick said he did not know why Law was chosen, but said it was likely because the basilica is one of the great churches of Rome.
``It would be a natural selection,'' McCarrick said. ``The choice was certainly not made for any reason except to honor St. Mary Major.''
Asked if it was a Vatican signal that Law should be forgiven, McCarrick said, ``I think we feel we are all Easter people ... We look at the light rather than the darkness.''
The fourth-largest U.S. diocese has been shaken not only by Law's resignation after 18 years, but also by settlements of more than $85 million with more than 550 victims.
Law's successor, Archbishop Sean O'Malley, has also had to oversee a series of painful parish closures as the archdiocese adjusts to a shortage of priests and drop in collections.
O'Malley, in Rome for the pope's funeral, declined to comment on Law.
``We're here to talk about the pope,'' he said. In Boston, Ronald Lacey, 35, was among those who said Law's resignation as archbishop was irrelevant to his role in memorializing the pope.
``I think it was right for him to leave the Archdiocese of Boston,'' said Lacey, who was attending midday Mass at a downtown chapel. ``But if he grieves the death of the Holy Father, I think that's right, too.''
Law ought to be in prison, not given an honored position in the Pope's funeral. Did no one have a sense of shame in having Law do this?
I sure hope the Pope himself didn't designate Law for this. Michael Jackson may as well be a cardinal...
One other fine citizen of the worlds will be attending as well. Robert Mugabe is ignoring the European travel ban to attend the funeral
I agree. I also continue to deplore the mendacity of the Archdiocese of Boston, which told its members (I was one) that Law was residing in a convent in Maryland (presumably doing penance); he was actually jetting back and forth to Rome and living large. Disgusting.
I agree. This is an outrage.
Reminds me of that old saying, "the gates of hell swing on Vatican hinges". What a shame.
Not even going to comment, otherwise I may be labeled as an "anti-Catholic bigot". But, I hope my silence speaks my words for me.
Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick said he did not know why Law was chosen, but said it was likely because the basilica is one of the great churches of Rome.
``It would be a natural selection,'' McCarrick said. ``The choice was certainly not made for any reason except to honor St. Mary Major.''
How is this a natural selection? How does it honor St. Mary Major? I don't get this reasoning. I'm NOT bashing, just inquiring.
This is an absolute outrage and a major slap in the face to those that suffered through the abuse scandal here in Boston, one of the victims died "mysteriously" after the scandal - we believe suicide is the mystery. I doubt JP2 left word for criminal law to preside over the Mass. Someone in Rome still doesn't get it and law should be ashamed of himself.
You must be a Howie fan!
If there's one thing the Pope tried to teach it was forgiveness. Humans have failings, but God never holds a grudge. I pray that Cardinal Law has repented for his sins.
Law never repented, he never admitted he did anything wrong.
Well, because Law is basically the head priest of the church now. So if you want to hold a mass for the pope in that church you probably need to have Law do it. Of course, God knows why they allowed him into that high position in the first place.
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As a Catholic, I appreciate your discretion. However, one doesn't have to be anything but a human being to understand that this is a dreadful mistake. I am completely perplexed by the support shown to Cardinal Law by the Church.
I don't think you would be labeled at all. I don't think you should be. The entire situation with Cardinal Law is beyond perplexing to Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
St. Mary Major is a major church in Rome. That's where they stuck Law, right under the eye of the Vatican.
But since they're having a Mass there, Law would be the natural choice to preside, since it's his new turf.
It's really not the symbol that the professional victims make it out to be. Life goes on, and Law is still a Cardinal. He was actually a good Cardinal in many ways but his negligence regarding the abuse was a terrible failure, to say the least. IMO too many people spend their time consumed with hatred for him when Jesus said we should love even our enemies, never mind a fellow sinner.
Hear, Hear! A fair and reasoned statement.
Not Catholic either, but it seems many of them here are just as perplexed by this decision. Seems very wrong to me.
Law should be in prison with Jackson.
Like many of the perverse stories of the medieval Popes with bizarre, sinful fetish behavior, this kind of crap will be what's written about the current state of the Vatican and read 500 years from now.
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