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CNN Live Today

Cardinal Law Faces Pressure to Resign

Aired April 11, 2002 - 13:19   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: One of the most prominent Catholics archbishops in America now is facing groundswell of pressure to resign. Critics say Cardinal Bernard Law knew that some priests in the Boston Archdiocese were abusing children there, and did little, if anything, to stop it. Our Jason Carroll is checking in now from Boston. He's got the very latest on how this story has been unfolding there. Hello, Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good afternoon to you, Leon. I want to start out by talking about something that happened just about two hours ago here at the Archdiocese of Boston. A man who identified himself as Chris Lowe (ph), walked onto the property and said that he wanted to make a citizen's arrest of Cardinal Law. He says that when he was a child, he was molested by John Geoghan. Geoghan was defrocked and convicted on child molestation charges, and apparently he was moved from parish to parish under Cardinal Law's watch many years ago.

This man was met by police. He was also met by a spokeswoman for the archdiocese. He was given a warning, and then he was asked to leave. So that ended without any incident.

Yesterday, there was much talk about whether or not Cardinal Law would end up resigning. But so far there's been no word from the cardinal on this issue, but there has been plenty of talk within the community and calls for him to resign. There were editorial in the major papers basically saying that Cardinal Law at this point cannot be an effective leader.

Law most recently has come under fire for allegedly allowing a pedophile priest to have access to children under his watch. Documents show that Law moved Father Paul Shanley from parish to parish for many, many years. One of Cardinal Law's former supporters now says it's time for him to step down.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THOMAS O'NEILL III, FORMER MASSACHUSETTS LT. GOVERNOR: It's really incumbent upon him to step aside and allow this church to breathe easier and to kind of reclaim itself. As I said, it's time to figure out the future role for our youth in the Catholic church, the role of women, and the role of (UNINTELLIGIBLE), frankly.

As we look at the dysfunctional aspects of so much of our clergy, we must bring into question the role and the look of the priesthood in the Catholic church. And until he removes himself, we just aren't going to be able to ask ourselves those questions.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: Cardinal Law's supporters say having him resign really wouldn't do any good to effect real change within the Catholic church -- Leon.

HARRIS: Jason Carroll in Boston. Thank you.

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