Cardinal resigns as university board chairman

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SPECIAL REPORT • No charges against Boston diocese leaders • Boston archbishop aims for reconciliation • High court: California can't prosecute long-ago sex crimes • Interactive: Catholic Church faces scandal • In-Depth: Crisis in the Priesthood RELATED • Center of Boston sex scandal freed on bail  • Archdiocese of Boston  • Catholic University of America  VIDEO A group of 58 Catholic priests call on Cardinal Bernard Law to step down from the Boston Archdiocese. CNN's Bill Delaney reports. (December 10) PLAY VIDEO

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Embattled Cardinal Bernard Law has resigned as chairman of the Catholic University of America board of trustees.

Law is the archbishop of Boston, where the Catholic archdiocese has endured a sexual abuse scandal and is considering filing for bankruptcy protection.

The announcement was posted on the Web site of the Washington, D.C., university. Law had indicated in October that he wouldn't be a candidate for a fifth term as chairman.

In a letter delivered to the board Tuesday, Law wrote, "My 12 years of service as chairman of the board have been an extraordinary, positive experience for me. I leave this position grateful for the opportunity I have had to work with so many wonderfully dedicated people who demonstrate their support for and commitment to the Catholic University of America in so many wonderful ways."

The Very Rev. David M. O'Connell, the university's president, said: "His service and contribution as chairman of the board of trustees of the Catholic University of America have been extended over many years, certainly more than that of most board chairs. He was exceptionally faithful to the university."

Law has been in Rome discussing the archdiocesan problems with Vatican officials.

On Monday, 58 priests signed a letter asking Law to resign from his post as archbishop.

"The events of recent months and, in particular, of these last few days, make it clear to us that your position as our bishop is so compromised that it is no longer possible for you to exercise the spiritual leadership required for the church of Boston," the letter said.

Last week, the Boston Archdiocese released extensive documents detailing startling examples of clergy sexual misconduct related to allegations 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.

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