April 09, 2005

Scandal-hit cardinal to lead Mass

ROME
BBC News

A support group for sexual abuse victims has condemned a decision by the Vatican to choose Cardinal Bernard Law to lead a Mass for Pope John Paul II.

Cardinal Law resigned as Archbishop of Boston in 2002 following accusations that he covered up sexual abuse of children by priests.

Members of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests are flying to Rome to protest at Monday's service.

Cardinal Law is scheduled to lead one of nine memorial Masses in Rome.

David Clohessy, national director of the survivors' network, said: "It's an unbelievably insensitive move that simply rubs salt into the very deep wounds of thousands of abuse victims and American Catholics."

The protesters plan to hand out pamphlets at the St Mary Major Basilica church where Cardinal Law will lead the Mass.

Posted by kshaw at April 9, 2005 06:16 PM