Doctrine and dissent

'Certain moral theologians have introduced a sharp distinction, contrary to Catholic doctrine'

INAUGURATION DAY - On Oct. 22, 1978, the cardinals inaugurated Karol Wojtyla as leader of the world's nearly 1 billion Roman Catholics. The new pope took the name John Paul II and used his decisive and forceful leadership style to rein in progressive Catholics. (AP File Photo)

Strong popes generate strong responses, not all of them harmonious

(By Mark Feeney, Globe Staff)

John Paul II was no exception. Even as Catholics the world over responded to his forceful personality and decisive leadership, large numbers of the faithful disagreed with him on specific issues. Usually it was progressive Catholics who differed with John Paul on such matters as contraception and homosexuality.

CRISIS RESPONSE - Eleven months into the clergy sexual abuse scandal, on Dec. 13, 2002, Pope John Paul II accepted the resignation of Cardinal Bernard F. Law as archbishop of Boston. (AP File Photo)

Late in pontiff's reign, clergy sex abuse case rocked the church

(By Michael Paulson, Globe Staff)

In the spring of 2002, Pope John Paul II summoned all of the cardinals of the United States to the Vatican for an unprecedented summit on the clergy sexual abuse crisis roiling the Catholic Church. Just how the abuse crisis, which exploded during the twilight of John Paul's papacy, will affect his legacy remains unclear.