Law expresses sorrow but defends actions

BRIGHTON, Massachusetts (CNN) -- Cardinal Bernard Law expressed sorrow Sunday for the policies and decisions that contributed to the spate of sexual abuse cases by priests from his Boston archdiocese, but defended his actions since becoming archbishop in 1984.

"I am profoundly sorry ... that the inadequacy of past policies and flaws in past decisions have contributed to this situation," Law said in a letter to parishioners of the Boston archdiocese. "I wish I could undo the hurt and harm."

But the 71-year-old cardinal said he had been guided "by the insights and recommendations of those with a medical competence which we did not have."

And since 1993, the year the archdiocese formulated a written policy for handling such claims, a review board made up primarily of lay persons has examined each case.

EXTRA INFORMATION Background: Law and other key players  in the Catholic church scandal    MORE STORIES   •  Cardinal denies settlement with alledged sex abuse victims  RESOURCES   •  TIME.com: Catholicism in Crisis   •  The pope's letter   •  Interactive: Catholic Church faces scandal   •  In-Depth: Crisis in the Priesthood

The board did not require cases of abuse of children by priests be reported to public officials "because it was felt that doing so would inhibit some victims from coming forward," Law said.

That policy has since been changed, he noted. The current policy mandates that all allegations be reported to public authorities without delay.

In addition, Law said that, beginning this year, priests against whom "a credible allegation" has been made are barred from holding a church assignment.

Law then defended his actions in the case of the Rev. Paul Shanley, who had been accused of raping young boys in a pattern that dates back to the 1960s.

"Despite the quantity of documents released and statements on the part of some indicating they believe otherwise, before God I assure you that my first knowledge of an allegation of sexual abuse against this priest was in 1993," Law wrote. "It was immediately acted upon, and the authorization for him to serve as a priest in California was rescinded."

Law has been facing pressure to resign for his handling of the scandal. He has been sued on charges that he transferred a known pedophile from parish to parish, thereby putting children at risk.

This month, Law withdrew a proposed settlement offer, saying the archdiocese could not afford to compensate all of the victims.