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Pope accepts Law's resignation'I both apologize and ... beg forgiveness'
VATICAN CITY (CNN) -- Pope John Paul II on Friday accepted the resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law as archbishop of the scandal-plagued Boston Archdiocese. The Most Rev. Richard Gerard Lennon, auxiliary bishop in the archdiocese, was appointed by the pope to take over interim duties in the archdiocese. He is 55 and became an ordained bishop in September 2001. The pope is expected to appoint a permanent replacement later. The Vatican announcement comes after months of pressure for the cardinal to resign in the wake of accusations that priests had sexually abused children -- and allegations that Law did not take strong action to deal with the problem. The pope was described by a Vatican official as being "deeply saddened" by the whole affair, The Associated Press reported. An alleged victim, Patrick McSorley, was asked by reporters Friday if he could forgive Law. "I'm speechless about that, I don't know," McSorley said. "He's hurt a lot of people, he's deceived a lot of people. This is something that's going to be very hard to overcome and that's going to take a lot of time." On Thursday, Massachusetts' attorney general told reporters that the Boston Archdiocese engaged in "an elaborate scheme" to keep the issue quiet. Last week, the Boston Archdiocese released extensive documents detailing startling examples of clergy sexual misconduct related to claims priests molested children. In addition, the archdiocese Finance Council authorized Law to seek bankruptcy protection for the archdiocese, which faces an estimated 450 claims from alleged abuse victims. Law remains a cardinalLaw on Friday issued an apology, in which he said he hopes the move will help bring about "healing, reconciliation and unity." "To all those who have suffered from my shortcomings and mistakes I both apologize and from them beg forgiveness. To the bishops, priests, deacons, religious and laity, with whom I have been privileged to work in our efforts to fulfill the church's mission, I express my deep gratitude," in a written statement issued by Law. (Full statement) At a news conference in Boston Friday morning, the Rev. Christopher Coyne of the Boston Archdiocese said Law will remain a cardinal attached to a church, but will most likely be in retirement status. Law has no more authority to govern the archdiocese by virtue of his resignation, he said. Donna Morrissey, archdiocese spokeswoman also at the news conference, that she spoke to Law Friday. "He is doing well considering the circumstances," Morrissey said, who said the cardinal had a "heavy burden on his shoulders." Asked about Law's legacy, Morrissey said in light of the fractiousness and pain how the resignation would affect his "legacy" is virtually the last thing the archdiocese is pondering.
She said Law congratulates Lennon and will assist him in whatever way possible. Law will be returning to the United States from Rome sometime this weekend, she said. Both Morrissey and Coyne stressed that the archdiocese is trying to cope with the main problem dogging Boston and other archdioceses -- what Coyne says is "the monumental tragedy of abuse by children" by priests. "We are going to continue in our efforts to implement comprehensive policies and education programs and outreach to victim survivors to make sure that we don't find ourselves in the situation again and that we can do whatever means possible to help in the healing process for the victims, survivors and their families," Morrissey said. James Post -- president of the Catholic reform lay group Voice of the Faithful -- said, "This is a sad day for the Catholic church and it's a sad day for the archdiocese of Boston. I think we have to say this is a sad but necessary act," said Post, who said the cardinal's presence had been "very divisive." Post said there is a "ray of hope" in the development, that new leadership "offers the opportunity to bring people together." Ann Webb, speaking for a sex abuse victims' group called SNAP, called the development a "positive step," saying Law was a "lightning rod" for what has gone wrong with the church. She said she was pleased that Law had the courage to step down but was culpable just the same. 'Perhaps for generations'
Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly alleged that the diocese schemed to keep the abuse quiet, adding that the problem goes back "decades, and perhaps for generations." On Monday, 58 priests signed a letter asking Law to resign from the post. A Catholic reform lay group, Voice of the Faithful, had called Wednesday for Law's resignation. (Full story) Law also stepped down this week as chairman of the Catholic University of America board of trustees. (Full story) CNN Correspondent Bill Delaney and journalists Delia Gallagher and John Allen contributed to this report. Copyright 2002 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
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To all those who have suffered from my shortcomings and mistakes I both apologize and from them beg forgiveness.
