I would like to know the opinion of this forum on Cardinal Law's promotion by the Pope.

Personally, I am outraged. What kind of example is this for our children to reward bad behavior like this. What is the Pope thinking?

What are your thoughts?

-- MaryLu (marlborocat@yahoo.com), May 29, 2004

Answers

Mary Lu,

Here is a blurb about the situation from John Allen, a Vatican reporter for the National Catholic Reporter. It gives some insight as to what they are thinking. I tend to agree with you but this shouldn't be a big surprise. They've got to do something with him. What he did was reprehensible in my opinion, but he has apologized so....whattya gonna do.

"On May 27, Cardinal Bernard Law, the former archbishop of Boston who resigned over his handling of sex abuse allegations, was named Archpriest of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. The nomination means that Law, 72, will now reside and work in Rome.

I reported that such a move was under consideration in "The Word from Rome" on Feb. 13.

Each of the four major partriarchal basilicas in Rome has a cardinal- archpriest who is the administrator of the facility. Typically it is a quasi-honorary post given at the end of someone's career.

In Law's case, the dynamics were different. In effect, this amounts to a recognition that Law cannot play a public role in the church in the United States, nor could he head a major Vatican agency given both his age and his baggage. This appointment allows him to be part of the Roman scene, continuing to serve as a member of the seven congregations and two councils to which he already belongs, and performing whatever other informal functions might be asked of him.

"As I wrote on Feb. 13: "I suspect that Rome is in some ways a more comfortable environment for Law than the States; he is not stalked by TV cameras here, and, rightly or wrongly, many Roman observers regard him with sympathy, believing Law was unfairly made the scapegoat of the American sex abuse crisis."

-- Brian Crane (brian.crane@cranemills.com), May 29, 2004.

Hi, ML

In just my thoughts. I would say "actions speak louder than any words". It obvious why he was sent out of the Country. I don't see this as a "promotion".

God bless you

-- - (David@excite.com), May 30, 2004.