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CNN Sunday Morning

Catholic Church Struggles With Growing Sex Abuse Scandal

Aired May 12, 2002 - 08:08   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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Back here in this country, the Catholic Church is struggling to deal with the growing sex abuse scandal. Boston's Cardinal Law is at the center of the storm, but even as he deals with lawsuits, the cardinal carries on with his church duties.

CNN's Jason Carroll joins us live from Boston with the latest -- good morning, Jason.

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

You know, it's literally been months since Cardinal Law has talked to the press about the priest scandal. Whenever he usually does say something, he says something during mass. And that's what we're waiting for today. We're waiting to see if Cardinal Law, in fact, says anything at all about what happened to him last week. That was when he was deposed in a civil suit involving defrocked priest John Geoghan.

It was the first time Cardinal Law had to answer questions under oath about Geoghan. The plaintiffs in the case say Cardinal Law failed to protect them from Geoghan.

During the first day of the deposition, Cardinal Law said he could not remember certain details about allegations of abuse surrounding Geoghan. That was revealed in the transcripts that were released from the deposition. On day two of the deposition, though, the judge in the case, Constance Sweeney, blocked the release of transcripts. That's because attorneys representing Law said they needed more time to review them before they were released to the public.

Normally, a small number of people gather in front of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Sundays. They wait to see what Cardinal Law has to say. Today, we're waiting, as well -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Jason Carroll, thank you very much.

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