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CNN Live At Daybreak

Cardinal Bernard Law Facing Growing Calls For Him to Step Down

Aired April 11, 2002 - 05:19   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: He is getting support from some of the faithful, but Cardinal Bernard Law is also facing growing calls for him to step down. Law is the head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston and he's been under fire for the way he handled sex abuse cases involving priests.

Our Jason Carroll has the latest for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The pressure is mounting for Cardinal Bernard Law to step down. Editorials in the "Manchester Union Leader" and the "Boston Globe" are leading the call.

RENEE LOTH, EDITOR, EDITORIAL PAGE, "THE BOSTON GLOBE": The anguish in the Boston community really can't be overstated and it really was reflected in the editorial board's decision, as well.

CARROLL: Massachusetts Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy says the church scandal has been painful for everyone.

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: It's certainly been the most difficult situation that any of us have seen in our time. And with regards to myself, I've got my own communications and conversations with the cardinal, but I'm not saying anything beyond that.

CARROLL: Cardinal Law and other church officials could be facing something more serious than losing a position in the archdiocese. The state attorney general is reviewing internal church documents released Monday regarding Father Paul Shanley. Shanley is an accused pedophile priest who, documents show, was moved by Cardinal Law from parish to parish.

TOM REILLY, MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENERAL: But ultimately there may not be a criminal solution to this problem. Is it likely that additional charges may be brought against some of the offending clergy? Yes, I would expect that there will be.

CARROLL (on camera): Only the pope can remove a cardinal from his position, and so far the Vatican isn't talking about Cardinal Law's situation. As for Cardinal Law, he isn't talking either.

Jason Carroll, CNN, Boston. (END VIDEOTAPE)

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