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?

Page 26

Most of you cowards would have done far worse in his position. You should all be ashamed of yourselves, do any of you doubt that Cardinal Law was trying to do the right thing all these years? This church bashing must stop. God may forgive you, but I do not. I spit in your faces.

Patrick O'Reilly, Nahant

That is the least he can do.

Lisa, Quincy

HE BELONGS IN JAIL!

Kevin, Medford

Isn't sexual abuse enough to speak up? The priests signed a petition to support Law's resignation but only after more revelations about drug use, fathering children, encouraging sex with young girls in the guise of the "2nd coming of Christ". Where were they 2, 4, or six months ago? I'm glad they spoke up but wasn't sex abuse of all those children enough? Wrong is wrong and they went along with the cover-up by not speaking out earlier.

Pam, Lunenburg

I hope that the Catholic church declares bankruptcy and doesn't pay any of the lawsuits. Why, because the lawyers are going to get rich off these people's pain and that is wrong. Money isn't going to help those that have been abused. Have a bankrupt Church establish a fund to get these people the help that they need. Prosecute the abusers and help the abused. This wasn't isolated abuse; this was system wide. The church better clear this up. And don't leave your kids alone with priests (or any other adult).

John, Boston

fieldwrap@boston.com 12/13/2002 01:12 PM It is long overdue ! I am angry and ashamed to be a catholic. I also feel bad for so many priests that have cared for their parishioners so well but they are looked upon with suspicion. I only hope that the new bishop wiil be up to the task trusted on him

Rosella , Needham

Its about time...Its really terrible that some Catholics today feel more emotions for the deposed Cardinal than they do for the victims of the crimes he worked so diligently to cover up. All the "good" Catholics continue to go to church and make their donations because "that's what their supposed to do"...If they really want to send a message to the Church, they should stop going until the church sends a clear message that it is serious about Priest misconduct, instead of todays anti-climatic, orchestrated resignation of the Cardinal...He's sorry and begs forgiveness, send him to jail, that's where the rest of would up...

Paul , Quincy

It's about time. Maybe now there can be some healing.

Laurie, Natick

Now send this criminal to jail for being an accomplice in the rape of hundreds of children. Unbelievable !

Alfredo, Milford

Who cares??? This man oversaw so much abuse, knew it was happening. His resignation means nothing to me. I suffered as many did due to his hiding this for so many years. If he had taken action right away I might not have been abused by someone who did not belong in a position that granted him a certain air of security that was not deserved. He should be in jail, not just out of a job!

Scott, Everett