Cardinal at Center of Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal in Failing Health

WCVB
September 29, 2015

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Cardinal Bernard Law, who was at the center of the clergy sex abuse scandal in Boston, is in failing health.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Law’s replacement, spoke about Law during a news conference at which he discussed his time with Pope Francis last week.

Watch report

O’Malley was asked why Law has not been held responsible for his involvement in the scandal. The pope has said that he is committed to healing relationships with survivors.

“Cardinal Law, he’s been retired for many years, He’s in ill health. He is 83,” O’Malley said. “Cardinal Law left Boston. He was not kept here, and that was a very important decision, I think, for healing.”

O'Malley said Pope Francis strongly supports a tribunal to deal with bishops who are not acting responsibly.

In December 2002, Law resigned as archbishop of Boston. One year later, Massachusetts attorney general other top church officials said Law would not face criminal charges for keeping abusive priests in church parishes.

Law was made archpriest of the basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, Italy, in 2004, and he retired seven years later.