Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Cardinal Bernard Law Answers Questions About John Geoghan

Aired May 09, 2002 - 05:35   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: A lot of people have wanted Boston's Cardinal Bernard Law to answer questions about John Geoghan. Geoghan is the ex-priest serving time for child abuse. Well, yesterday, the cardinal answered a judge's summons and he did appear in a Massachusetts courtroom.

Our Jason Carroll has details on what Law said under oath.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Boston's embattled Cardinal Bernard Law left Suffolk Superior Court after being questioned for the first time under oath about what he knew about defrocked priest John Geoghan and when he knew it. Mitchell Garabedian, the attorney representing 86 plaintiffs in a civil suit filed against the archdiocese, said Law suffered from a case of selective amnesia during his deposition.

MITCHELL GARABEDIAN, PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY: He's not going to admit anything that he thinks may hurt him, even if it's the truth.

CARROLL: Garabedian showed Law a copy of a letter sent to him in 1984 by a woman who claimed her nephews were molested by Geoghan. Law had initialed the letter and wrote a note to his bishop saying, quote, "Urgent, please follow through."

Law could not recall receiving the letter, but he later admitted when he knew about Geoghan's trouble past. Question: "As of September of 1984, were you aware that Father Geoghan had a history of homosexual involvement with young boys?" Answer: "I was aware that there was involvement because of the -- of having removed him out of one parish and putting him between assignments before sending back to another."

Geoghan was moved to several parishes over the years, even though there were allegations he was sexually abusing children. Law defended his actions, saying Geoghan received psychological treatment. Answer: "I was relying upon those assisting me to handle this adequately, and I was relying on their discretion in terms of the medical expertise." Question: "Did you have any system in place to make sure that the right medical experts were involved?" Answer: "No."

Geoghan was convicted earlier this year of molesting a young boy, but he's accused of abusing scores of children. One of his alleged victims was allowed to attend the deposition. Mark Keane said he felt Law was dishonest under questioning.

MARK KEEN, ALLEGED GEOGHAN VICTIM: I was a little intimidated at first. He came off very soft-spoken. He is a very good talker. Not to compare him with Father Geoghan, but I experienced soft-spoken good talkers before, and look where it got me.

CARROLL: Why was Law giving such a deposition? A judge ordered it after the archdiocese backed out of a multimillion-dollar settlement with the same 86 plaintiffs.

(on camera): The Archdiocese of Boston released a statement saying that Cardinal Law answered all of the questions asked of him and that Cardinal Law is looking to settle this matter in an equitable manner. The next deposition is scheduled for Friday.

Jason Carroll, CNN, Boston.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com