Cardinal Law's statements concerning sexual abuse by priests have changed in tone, from defensive to contrite.

Event		Church response
EARLY 1992		MAY 23, 1992
Rev. James Porter accused by more than 100 people of having molested them in the 1960s when he was a priest in Fall River (not under Law’s direct supervision).		"...An aberrant act" Law describing Porter's alleged abuse "By all means we call down God’s power on the media, particularly the Globe." Law accusing the media of exploiting the case
JULY 11, 1996		JULY 11, 1996
Rev. John Geoghan accused by Waltham woman of molesting her three sons.		No comment
NOV. 26, 2001		NOV. 26, 2001
Court orders Geoghan papers be made public.		No comment The archdiocese unsuccessfully appeals the ruling.
JAN. 6 AND 7, 2002		JAN. 9, 2002
Coverup alleged. Globe Spotlight team publishes documents showing that the archdiocese moved Geoghan from parish to parish, despite knowing of abuse allegations in his past.		"I wish to apologize once again for the harm done to the victims of sexual abuse by priests..." Law, who also orders future allegations be reported to law enforcement
JAN. 16		JAN. 16
Attorney General Thomas Reilly asks for information on past abuses, saying church policy to release only current and future allegations is insufficient.		"Inappropriate" Donna M. Morrissey, spokeswoman for the archdiocese, on Reilly's request
FEB. 28		MARCH 2
Reilly threatens to convene grand jury to force the church to turn over incriminating information about priests accused of sexual abuse of minors.		"[We will] improve the flow of information" Donna Morrissey, saying church will waive confidentiality agreements preventing victims from giving prosecutors details.
MARCH 15		MARCH 15
The Pilot, newspaper of the diocese, calls for dialogue questioning celibacy		"It is not the editorial position of The Pilot that clerical celibacy should be reviewed by the church with the purpose of a change in discipline." Law, reacting to questions about Pilot editorial
APRIL 8		APRIL 12
Rev. Paul Shanley accused. The lawyer for one of the accusers holds a press conference and releases documents showing that the archdiocese knew that Shanley advocated sex between men and boys and assigned him to posts that allowed him access to children.		"A continual institutional memory concerning allegations and cases of abuse of children was lacking." Law, in a letter sent to priests of the Boston Archdiocese
MID-APRIL		APRIL 21
Calls mount for Law to resign.		"The crisis of clergy sexual abuse of minors is not just a media-driven or public perception concern in the United States, but a very serious issue undermining the mission of the Catholic Church." Law's remarks before Sunday Mass
APRIL 23		APRIL 23
At the Vatican During a gathering of 11 US cardinals and two leading bishops		"In a sense, if I had not made the terrible mistakes that I made, we would not be here. I apologize for that." Law's remarks according to several in attendance
MAY 8		MAY 8
Cardinal Law is deposed by lawyers representing alleged victims of John Geoghan.		"I can only say again, as I said earlier that ... this issue, this whole issue as it plays itself out, is full of moments when hindsight would have been helpful." Law, during sworn testimony
MAY 19		MID-MAY
In an eventful month for the archdiocese, priests Paul R. Shanley and Ronald H. Paquin are arrested, and the church rejects a tentative settlement with 86 victims of John Geoghan. Cardinal Law also spent two days testifying in a court-ordered deposition.		"...My credibility has been publicly questioned and I have become for some an object of contempt. I understand how this is so, and I am profoundly sorry that the inadequacy of past policies and flaws in past decisions have contributed to this situation. " Law, in a letter to parishioners
MAY 25		MAY 25
Five new priests are ordained at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross		"No joy can be taken from the terrible harm and betrayal at the root of this crisis and trial, yet out of this evil, you have the joy of a much more vivid consciousness of what it means to be a priest." Law, in comments to the new priests
MAY 25		MID-JUNE
US bishops gathered in Dallas to draft a new policy on disciplining abusive priests.		" But the primary focus has got to be on children, and if it is, then the way you handle these other problems is going to be different, and it's that focus that has come to me with a new clarity." Law, in an interview with the Globe
LATE JULY		JULY 28
The World Youth Day celebration is held in Toronto. Cardinal Law and young Boston-area Catholic youths gather with thousands of other youths to hear Pope John Paul II speak and to celebrate their faith.		"...We know that evil is evil, we know that it is morally wrong to do violation to any human being in any way, including sexual abuse ... These young people understand that ... they know that the Lord is with them, and the holiness of the church." Law, after World Youth Day festivities
OCTOBER		OCTOBER 23
Law holds a meeting with priests addressing topics ranging from the crisis in the church to Law's decision to stay on as head of the archdiocese. The meeting was one of many indications in the early fall of Law seeking to broaden his dialogue with fellow priests, victims, and the laity.		"I indicated it would not take a rocket scientist to realize that [resigning] is not an option that someone in my circumstances over the past 10 months would not have considered, and I did consider it. " Law's remarks to fellow priests
NOVEMBER 4		NOVEMBER 4
Cardinal Law begs forgiveness from abuse victims during an emotional Sunday Mass.		"I acknowledge my own responsibility for decisions which led to intense suffering. While that suffering was never intended, it could have been avoided had I acted differently. I see this now with a clarity that has been heightened through the experience of these past 10 months. ...As I beg your forgiveness, I pledge my unyielding efforts to insure that this never happens again." Law, during Sunday Mass
DECEMBER 13		DECEMBER 13
Cardinal Law resigns his position as Archbishop of Boston in a meeting with the pope at the Vatican.		"To all those who have suffered from my shortcomings and mistakes I both apologize and from them beg forgiveness. " Law, in a statement issued after his resignation
DECEMBER 16		DECEMBER 16
Cardinal Law issues a public statement concerning his resignation at the chancery in Brighton.		"Though I had hoped to be part of that implementation [of abuse policies], it came to be ever more clear to me that the most effective way that I might serve the church at this moment is to resign. " Law, in a statement read to the press