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Law undergoes more questioning over priest scandal

Cardinal Law arrives at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on Wednesday.

BOSTON, Massachusetts (CNN) -- Cardinal Bernard Law, forced to answer attorneys' questions about his handling of sexually abusive priests within the Archdiocese of Boston, cited Friday his "grief" over the scandal, but said he believes God will see the Catholic Church through the crisis.

Law made his comments as he celebrated noon Mass. The Mass came during a break in his extraordinary deposition, ordered by a court.

"I weep and I mourn, and I'm sure you do and the whole church does for the terrible tragedy that has unfolded in past years," Law said, acknowledging the "young victims abused at the hands of clergy." Despite his grief, Law said, "We must not be afraid because the Holy Spirit has been promised to us and is with us."

Law said the church had learned from its mistakes and now has a "strong, forthright, open and decisive" policy in place for priests who molest children.

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"But the work of healing and reconciliation is work no guidelines can produce, no administrative measures can affect. It is a work only God can do," he said.

Friday's deposition -- a transcript of which was not yet available -- was the second this week for Law.

It relates to a civil lawsuit filed by 86 alleged victims of defrocked priest John Geoghan, who was sent to prison earlier this year for molesting a boy in 1991.

In Wednesday's deposition, Law said he relied on medical and psychiatric expertise to guide him in his decisions on how to handle sexually abusive priests.

Many alleged victims of abuse say Law displayed a selective memory during the deposition and appeared to blame his subordinates for his decisions.

Attorneys for Geoghan's alleged victims said Law was giving similar answers in Friday's session.

Patrick McSorley, one of the alleged victims, told reporters he couldn't bring himself to shake Law's hand before Friday's session started, and he described himself as disappointed with Law's answers to the questions.

"Most of his answers were 'I can't recall' and, you know, like he blew off the truth, basically. ... I couldn't shake the man's hand because I knew what was about to come was a lie," McSorley said.