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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Now that he has resigned, I hope will we see him face criminal charges!

Jlivermore, Wilmington

I feel for the church members so affected by this scandal. Having come out of a church situation (not catholic) where there was similiar type of issues, I can honestly say that I know what they are feeling. I feel bad for the people who believe in GOd, but feel that they don't want to be Catholic any longer. I pray that the church will begin to embrace one another and let the healing begin.

Ilene , Revere, MA

I'm not a Roman Catholic but my husband and my in-laws are and my heart goes out to all of you who have been pained by these horrific revelations. I just want you to know that many Christians of all denominations are thinking of you and praying for you. I hope and pray that you will be able to separate the fallible humans in the church from your own personal faith for that is what will sustain you and, ultimately, your church. You are good people and you are hurting - may God comfort and strengthen and guide you as you do the good work that now must be done. Bless you.

Patti, Ottawa, Canada

It's not a happy day because he retired. There is nothing happy about this story. But I pray that this can at least be step one towards a positive future for the Church.

Brian, Salem

The entire episode has been one bad satanic dream reminding us of the tenuous lines separating good and evil. In the end, the Cardinal had no other choice: the bankrupcy of his moral leadership was evident months ago. The concept of declaring financial bankrupcy was yet another sign that things had to change. In one sense this is a sad time for all spiritual people. Cardinal Law's courageous stands on issues of social justice are quickly forgotten amid the widely scattered ruins of abusive priest behavior. But it is also the beginning of a new era of healing, forgiveness and , hopefully, renewal. The Catholic Church cannot go forward as if nothing has changed. At the very least, the flock is passive no more.

Richard, Westborough