BOSTON (MA)
Boston Herald
By Laura Crimaldi
Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - Updated: 02:34 AM EST
Survivors of clergy sexual abuse called Bernard Cardinal Law's role in the selection of a new pope ``a slap in the face,'' as the disgraced former Boston archbishop makes national media rounds.
Law, appointed archpriest of the Patriarchal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome after his resignation as archbishop amid the clergy sexual abuse scandal, will be one of 117 cardinals voting on the successor to Pope John Paul II.
``It reflects on the fact that they have no ability to police themselves. Their clericalism is first and foremost,'' said John Harris, 47, of Norwood, who claims to be a victim of convicted child molester and defrocked priest Paul Shanley. Harris joined members of BishopAccountability.org in protesting ABC News and local affiliate WCVB-TV Ch. 5 for hosting Law on ``This Week'' with George Stephanopoulos on Sunday.
``They turn around and interview this man . . . as if he has something to say of any credibility,'' Harris said.
``It's extremely painful for victims to see Cardinal Law participate in such a critical decision after the revelation in Boston indicating that (he) knew since 1984 that innocent children were being sexually molested yet did nothing to protect the children,'' said Boston lawyer Mitchell Garabedian.