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American Morning

Cardinal Staying On Despite Criticism

Aired April 15, 2002 - 08:05   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: "Up Front" this morning, controversy continues to surround Boston's Cardinal Law. There is word from Boston that as many as 450 more people are coming forward with charges they have been sexually abused by priests. Law has been under fire since the scandal became public back in January. And recently there have been more calls for his resignation after court documents revealed he knew of allegations of sexual abuse against priests and did not turn them over to law enforcement officials over a period of years. But despite increasing criticism, the cardinal says he's staying on.

CNN's Jason Carroll is live in Boston with the very latest on this story -- good morning, Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Paula.

You know, people on both sides of this issue continue to speak out. Cardinal Law on Friday sent a letter to his priests basically saying that he was going to stay on as cardinal as long as god gives him the opportunity. That has angered his critics and brought comfort to his supporters.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL (voice-over): The embattled cardinal of Boston Archdiocese, Bernard Law, did not give Sunday mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross like he usually does. Law remains in seclusion at his residence. The message from the service went to the heart of the issue some say Cardinal Law ignored far too long.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But most especially the children and families who have been abused by clergy may gaze upon the wounded but now resurrected Jesus and find hope that our wounds may be healed.

CARROLL: Outside the cathedral, there was another message.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Prison for Law! Prison for Law!

CARROLL: One Cardinal Law has heard from his critics before.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The Catholic Church cannot heal with these types of people in office. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Any Catholics who can go to church and say that they still believe in the cardinal and believe in the Catholic faith, I think really need to do some soul searching.

CARROLL: Not everyone who gathered in front of Holly Cross wanted Cardinal Law to resign.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are praying for the cardinal. CARROLL: One man handed out red stickers, a symbolic sign, he says, of support.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think he's the scapegoat right now for this whole issue. There's an oversight of all of the good he's done in this diocese.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think we as Catholics need to back our clergy.

CARROLL: Law is getting the backing of the National Conference of Bishops.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think there's anyone present who understands the challenges that Cardinal Law faces better than himself. He enjoys my prayers, best wishes and I pray also for the Archdiocese of Boston.

CARROLL: Despite support from the church, calls for Law's resignation remain loud and strong. The assurance, he wrote in a letter to priests, saying he would make sure no child is ever abused again in the archdiocese is not enough for his critics. Editorials asking for his ouster keep coming and protesters say they will, too, until Law steps down.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL: Cardinal Law remains in seclusion. Parishioners say it is the first time they can remember he has missed mass. This is an issue that continues to divide the Catholic community here in Boston -- Paula.

ZAHN: And coming up in a couple of minutes, Jason, Ray Flynn, the former ambassador to the Vatican, will come on to address that very question you just posed about why he wasn't celebrating mass yesterday.

Jason, thank you very much for that update.

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