Cardinal Bernard Law resigns

Facing mounting outrage from Boston-area Catholics and clergy over the priest sexual abuse crisis, Cardinal Bernard Law announced today that he would resign as head of the Boston Archdiocese after 18 years in the post. Share your thoughts on the cardinal's resignation and his career in Boston. How will he be remembered? What effect will his departure have? And what comes next for the archdiocese?

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Resignation is not enough. He should be prosecuted as well for aiding & abetting these so-called men of God. By not dealing with the problems of these priests, he not only helped in scarring these victims for life, but has permanently scarred the Catholic Church.

Kathy

I can not believe it took this long for corrective action! It's truly sad this criminal act could fester and prosper as long as it has. Moral character / Cardinal Law : what an oxymoron! What an emabarrassment to BOSTON CATHOLICS

Ira M., Malden

If there is ever going to be a chance of restoring the faith of the millions of catholics this has effected, it is Law's resignation. I hope it does. For me, this is only the first step. Law should be held to the same standard as every other American. He should be prosecuted, tried and convicted. He should spend the relatively few days left in his life in prison. If you consider what he has done here, you start to get get the sense that Law, for the position that he holds, is of the most immoral figures in modern history. He is as much of a discgrace as those whom have comitted these acts against children. He robbed them of their lives while purporting himself to be a figure of trust and morality. It is really very sad.

Mike, Scituate, MA

Great, so now he's gone. But he wasn't the problem. It's the fundamental teachings of the Catholic church that you will be 'healed' and be ok if you give yourself to god. These priests were sick and they can't be 'healed' by anyone but a good mental institution. Unless the Catholic church changes its baseline fundamental teachings, this type of stuff will continue to happen for many years to come.

Mike, Weymouth

It is about time that he stepped forward and took some responsibility. Now we can move on as a faith, hopefully with a fresh new outlook. Pray for the victims

kevin, billerica

He should be given Jail time for what he did

Jan, Dracut, Ma

Mr. Law should spend his retirement behind bars in Cedar Juction.

Jim, Wellesley

This was the right decision. And, this is a momentous day for the Roman Catholic laity who courageously stood up against the injustice and oppression of the Roman Catholic hierarchy.

DWF, Jamaica Plain

Though I am one who has spoken out against the Cardinal, and have demanded this necessary step, so that We Catholics can heal and move on,it is still very sad to see my spiratual leader in such a humbling situation. This whole sordid step should be a stark reminder to us all of the immense power of the devil to lead us all in to sin, and ruinination, from the most powerful and holy, to the lowest of the faithful, such as myself. Forgive us our trespaspasses as we forgive those that trespass against us! Jesus have mercy on us all.

Michael, North Reading

It's about time, why have hundreds of innocent church going children had to suffer for over 35 years...

Mike, Augusta