By Associated Press, 08/07/02

| Complete coverage |  AG'S REPORT Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly released the results of a 16-month investigation into clergy sex abuse in the Boston archdiocese. Download report [PDF, 1.4 MB] (File requires Adobe Acrobat)  TODAY'S GLOBE A new leader reaches out 3 faces in crowd bound in hopeh At BC, students watch with awe O'Malley's homily reveals frank man Near cathedral, voices of protest 'Good priests' moved to tears Text of Archbishop O'Malley's homily Sandwiches, chips were bill of fare An angry protest, and prayers  GRAPHICS The moment of installation Viewer's guide Ceremony TV coverage  Processional O'Malley's vestments O'Malley's coat of arms Cathedral of the Holy Cross  REALVIDEO | NECN.com | Help with video | O'Malley to be installed today Great expectations of O'Malley Video clips require RealPlayer and Windows 98 or higher.  INTERACTIVE FEATURE An interactive timeline of the developing church crisis, featuring photos and audio.   View timeline  IN-DEPTH Boston's new archbishop Bishop Sean Patrick O'Malley has been chosen to succeed Cardinal Law as leader of the archdiocese. Reaction to O'Malley appointment Accused priests are vindicated Three priests have been exonerated after being suspended from their posts over abuse allegations.  CARDINAL BERNARD LAW Coverage of his resignation Career timeline: Priest to cardinal Changing statements on abuse Coverage of his tenure in Boston Photos: Law through the years Boston.com readers' comments  CONTACT SPOTLIGHT If you have information on child abuse by priests, call (617) 929-3208 Or leave a confidential message at this number (617) 929-7483 The Spotlight Team e-mail address is spotlight@globe.com.

WINDHAM, N.H. -- A priest member of a panel reviewing sexual misconduct charges against New Hampshire's Roman Catholic clergy says Cardinal Bernard Law should step down.

"At this point he cannot restore people's trust in him," said Monsignor Donald Gilbert, pastor of St. Matthew Church.

Gilbert, a priest for 34 years, Tuesday also told The Eagle-Tribune accused Massachusetts pedophile priests John Geoghan and Paul Shanley are "very blatant criminals," who should have been relieved of their pastoral duties.

"I think it was an attempt to stem any scandal and to deal with the dirty linen in a private way," he said of Law's handling of the accusations against the priests in the Archdiocese of Boston.

New Hampshire Bishop McCormack named Gilbert and five other people to a review panel to hear sexual abuse allegations about New Hampshire priests.

Criticism of Law's handling of abuse cases in Massachusetts has extended to McCormack, who previously served in Massachusetts under Law.

But Gilbert defended his bishop. "I think Bishop McCormack is an honorable man -- a straightforward, what-you-see-is-what you get, warm individual," Gilbert said.

The Diocesan Review Board examines complaints and makes recommendations to McCormack based on what they find. Gilbert said the panel has been meeting since June.

"It's a new tool, and we're going to make good use of it," he said. He said the panel doesn't know the names of the priests and victims when they review a case.

"We are able to focus on the facts and not feelings for the priest or the complainant," he said.

Gilbert said an older priest found to have sexual abused a child could live out his years in a diocesan facility receiving compensation from the church

"When a man is ordained, the bishop takes on the responsibility of his upkeep," he said. "The diocese is obligated to him."

Gilbert declined to comment about an allegation made against the Rev. Edward Richard of St. Patrick Church in neighboring Pelham.

Richard was relieved of his duties in April after police received a complaint filed by an unidentified accuser when Richard was a priest in Merrimack.