By Boston.com Staff, 04/17/02

| 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.

BOSTON — Cardinal Bernard F. Law will not participate in this year's commencement exercises at Boston College, the Boston Archdiocese and the school announced today.

"Because of his concern that his presence this year could detract from what otherwise should be a joyous occasion for the graduates and their families, [Cardinal Law] has informed Father William P. Leahy, S.J., the President of Boston College, that he will not be present," an archdiocese press release stated.

Fearing that the scandal could cast a pall over graduation ceremonies, a growing number of Boston College officials, faculty, and students had expressed hope that Law would not speak at or attend the school's commencement this spring. However, the school had not formally asked that the cardinal not attend.

Law has traditionally offered the benediction at BC's graduation ceremony, which is scheduled this year for May 20.

In responding to Law's announcement, Boston College issued a statement saying that it "appreciates the sensitivity and understanding of Cardinal Law concerning this matter. As a Jesuit, Catholic institution of higher education, we very much value our longstanding ties with the Church, the Archdiocese of Boston, and the Archbishop, who is always welcome on our campus."

Officials at other local Catholic colleges said last week that Law does not normally take part in their graduations, and they did not expect him to attend or speak this spring. When he has appeared in the past, they said, he has traditionally sat on the dais, offered a benediction, or made other brief remarks.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: Material from the Boston Globe was used in this report.