High-profile role upsets some in Boston
VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican yesterday said Cardinal Bernard F. Law, who remains controversial in the United States because of his role in the clergy abuse crisis, will be the only American prelate to preside at one of the nine major Masses of mourning for Pope John Paul II.
The decision by the Vatican to allow Law to preside at an important and prominent event infuriated some Boston Catholics, many of whom were already upset by Law's increased visibility since the death of the beloved pope.
The Vatican offered no formal explanation for the decision to ask Law to preside at Monday's Mass, which, following an ancient practice, is part of the ''novendiali," or nine days of mourning. But several church officials said Law was chosen because he heads one of the four major basilicas of Rome, the Basilica of St. Mary Major, which is so important that it would be certain to host one of the nine Masses.
The eight other Masses are being celebrated by other cardinals, most of whom hold high-ranking positions at the Vatican.
Law resigned in 2002 as head of the archdiocese of Boston after facing a year of intense criticism for failing to remove sexually abusive priests from ministry. Retaining his cardinal status, he spent some time at a monastery and then as chaplain at a convent before winning the assignment as archpriest of the basilica.
American prelates in Rome had little to say about the decision.
Law's successor in Boston, Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley, said, ''I'd rather not comment on that. We're here to talk about the pope."
Cardinal Edward M. Egan of New York also declined to comment, as did Cardinal Justin F. Rigali of Philadelphia. Rigali did say, in response to a question about whether Law's role is a reflection of the church's teaching about forgiveness, that ''the church teaches that we are Easter people, and Alleluia is our song, but I have no comment on the other."
Bishop William S. Skylstad, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, made it clear Law was chosen by Rome: ''He's here in Rome, and for whatever reason the Vatican officials felt it was important to include him as one of the celebrants."
Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington said the appointment was due entirely to Law's current post.
''He's one of the heads of one of the great churches of Rome -- St. Mary Major -- and I think that they needed to have someone who would represent the major churches of Rome, and . . . he's the head of it, so it sort of would be a natural selection, I would imagine," McCarrick said.
Asked about the possible negative reaction among some in the United States, McCarrick said, ''I don't think that occurred to anybody. . . . I'm sure the choice was not made for any reason other than to honor the church of St. Mary Major."
McCarrick, asked whether the invitation to Law is a sign of forgiveness, said, ''We look at the light, rather than at the darkness. So, if everybody appears to us in the light, as they should, because that's what we believe, then there should be no darkness in the way that we look at anything."
The news that Law would play a prominent role in the rites of mourning angered his critics.
''The announcement about Cardinal Law has provoked another firestorm here in Boston," said James E. Post, president of Voice of the Faithful, a lay organization formed at the height of the abuse scandal. ''Cardinal Law continues to be the living symbol of the blackest blemish on John Paul II's papacy."
A leader of an organization of victims of clergy abuse called on Law to decline the invitation.
''Law should have the courtesy, decency, and humility to step aside voluntarily, out of deference to the well-being of clergy sex abuse victims, their loved ones, and the laity in the US," said Mary Grant of Long Beach, Calif., a board member of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. ''If he doesn't, we can only hope that bishops and cardinals around the world will vehemently object to this hurtful decision and insist that Law be replaced."
Anne Barrett Doyle, codirector of Bishop-Accountability.org, a Boston-based website that publishes documents about the sexual abuse crisis, said Law's continued prominence in the Vatican's elaborate funeral arrangements is ''rubbing salt in the wounds" of abuse victims and ordinary Catholics.
''It's inexcusable, it's morally obtuse, it's wrong that Cardinal Law should be in this dignified and central position right now," she said. ''[The Vatican is] either insulting us or they are incredibly out of touch with us."
Bernie McDaid of Lynn, who was a victim of sexual abuse by a priest, said he has been mystified over Law's continued prominence in Rome. He believes the Vatican has purposefully cast Law in a highly visible role.
''The man has a lot of power in Rome," said McDaid. ''They seem to be looking to him."
Michael Paulson can be reached at mpaulson@globe.com. Kathy Burge of the Globe staff contributed to this report. 