Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Catholic Church Continues to Be Criticized For Handling of Sex Abuse Cases

Aired April 29, 2002 - 06:08   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: The Catholic Church continues to be criticized for its handling of sex abuse cases in the States. American cardinals summoned to the Vatican last week to talk about the crisis were back in the pulpit on Sunday.

Our Jason Carroll was in Boston when Cardinal Bernard Law returned to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cardinal Law, could we have a word with you, sir?

JASON CARROLL CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Boston's embattled Cardinal Bernard Law avoided reporters, who have a number of questions for him. Instead, Law addressed parishioners at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Sunday, and for the first time, publicly gave his insight into the outcome of last week's Vatican meetings with U.S. cardinals.

CARDINAL BERNARD LAW, ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON: And I came back from that meeting very, very encouraged that we are moving in the right direction. There has been some discussion in the press about the question of zero tolerance, and I just want to make it clear that the diocese -- the Archdiocese of Boston has already implemented a policy.

CARROLL: Cardinal Law's public appearances are rare, but his low profile has not stopped problems from following him. His critics are angered over a letter sent by the archdiocese to priests. They say it discourages priests from supporting a proposal by church members to form an advisory council made up of lay people. Critics are baffled by the letter, since they say U.S. cardinals meeting at the Vatican encouraged the idea of getting lay people more involved in the church and dealing with its problems.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It seems like the wrong message, the wrong tone at the wrong time, and it's almost unbelievable.

CARROLL: The archdiocese says in the letter the type of council being proposed already exists. Adding another one would be divisive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bernard Law, it's your credibility in question (ph).

CARROLL: The community is already divided over whether Law should stay or resign.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a tough (ph) time for the cardinals, you know, I think it (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to stay than to go.

CARROLL (on camera): Cardinal Law did not talk about calls for his resignation during mass. He did suggest that the issue of zero tolerance would be addressed at the National Conference of Bishops meeting. So far, he has given every indication he will attend that meeting in June.

Jason Carroll, CNN, Boston.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAFFERTY: And of course, we'll be following that one.

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