Law promoted

Catholic New Times, June 20, 2004

Cardinal Bernard F. Law, 72, former head of the Boston archdiocese has been appointed archpriest of St Mary Major Basilica in Rome, where he will have a palatial apartment and a stipend of $10,000 per month.

The American cleric, who resigned in 2002 in disgrace after confessing he had erred in moving sexually abusing priests from parish to parish instead of reporting them to police, was recently chosen for the post by Pope John Paul II. Victims and others are angered by the news and see it as a reward for Law's loyalty.

"It causes more pain for those who have been abused," said David Cloghessy of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests).

Since his resignation, Cardinal Law has been living at the Sisters of Mercy Convent in Clinton, Maryland. He has posts on nine Vatican congregations or departments, including the one that nominates candidates for bishops worldwide. He now answers to no one but the pope.