Cardinal Law is from Mississippi and didn't move to Boston until he was appointed Archbishop in the 80s. He's definitely NOT Kennedy's protege. I've know Bernie Law for almost 30 years, and he was a friend of my husband's family even longer because he was only a few years ahead of my brother in law in the Seminary. It grieves us to see what has gone on in Boston. Sir SuziQ and I can only shake our heads and say "What the HELL was he thinking?" He is a very loving and compassionate man, and I hate to read what some have said about him, though I can understand the anger underlying the words. We feel it too, but more a deep sadness that so many kids lives have been ruined. He wasn't in charge of the Diocese during the time most of this crap was going on, but he is responsible for not taking action against the priests who molested kids during the time over which he should have had some control! We still keep him in our prayers, he obviously NEEDS them!
If there is one good thing that may come out of all this with Fr. Shanley it is that NAMBLA is getting some national media coverage, and it ain't pretty! More folks need to know who these people are and what it is they encourage. Boston area folks have known about them for a while because one of the men convicted of killing little Jeffrey Curley several years ago had NAMBLA literature in his car and had recently been visiting their site on the Web. One of the brochures had tips on how to 'pick up' little boys.