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CNN Live Today

Some Call Church's Response to Sex Scandal Little More Than Damage Control

Aired April 25, 2002 - 10:13   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: It turns out it's not really what's included in the proposed reforms that has so many people talking. Some call the church's response to the sex scandal a little more than damage control.

For more on the public reaction, we turn to CNN's Jason Carroll in Boston. Jason, just as much talk about what is not included in this proposal.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, absolutely, Daryn. And I have to tell you, from talking to people here, the focus in Boston continues to be on Cardinal Law, Cardinal Bernard Law and his involvement in this priest scandal. As you know, Cardinal Law has basically been keeping a low profile throughout most of this. In fact, he did not attend a press briefing at the Vatican yesterday.

He left for Rome early this morning, and as he was heading through the airport, he was asked about whether or not all of the calls for his resignation here at home were brought up at any time during the Vatican meetings.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you happy overall with what happened here?

CARDINAL BERNARD LAW, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS: I think it was a good meeting, and particularly I was grateful for the holy father's talk. I thought it was excellent, very good spirit, very frank and very open. And you mention my resignation. That never came up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: A number of Law's critics were upset over the outcome of the Vatican meeting, saying that the cardinals did not go far enough. In fact, a father of an alleged victim of priest abuse says he is upset that Cardinal Law was invited to attend the meetings at the Vatican in the first place.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RODNEY FORD, FATHER OF ALLEGED VICTIM: As far as Cardinal Law being at any of these meeting and having his input is quite disturbing to me and my family. It was his decision-making here in Boston that ultimately led to my son being raped and other kids around the area.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: Law is now headed to Philadelphia to attend the annual cardinal's dinner to raise money for the Catholic University of America. But, Daryn, you have to wonder how effective Cardinal Law will be at raising money. I mean, when you look at what is happening with Catholic Charities, that's a nonprofit group that's responsible for raising money for the Catholic Church, Catholic Charities says that they have been receiving a number of letters from people saying that they would not donate money to the church until Cardinal Law steps down. So you have you to wonder how effective he will be at trying to raise money.

Cardinal Law's next public appearance after Friday will be this Sunday where he is expected to give mass -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Jason, you make a good point in that he does seem an odd guest for a fundraiser given that from right there in Boston, at Boston College, he basically was disinvited to commencement services there.

CARROLL: Well, yes. The folks at the Archdiocese of Boston said that Cardinal Law decided not to attend the ceremonies at Boston College, saying that he didn't want to be a distraction to what was happening on that particular day.

KAGAN: Jason Carroll in Boston -- Jason, thank you so much.

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