Pope John Paul II has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston, the Vatican saidtoday.
The cardinal, facing severe criticism in the United States overhis handling of a series of sex abuse scandals involving priests inhis archdiocese, had an audience with the Pope after a week ofmeetings with Vatican officials.
"I am profoundly grateful to the Holy Father for having accepted myresignation as archbishop of Boston," the Cardinal Law said in a written statement releasedby the Vatican.
|
"It is my fervent prayer that this action may help the archdiocese of Bostonto experience the healing, reconciliation and unity which are so desperatelyneeded.
"To all those who have suffered from my shortcomings and mistakes, I bothapologise and from them beg forgiveness," the cardinal said.
"To the bishops, priests, deacons, religious and laity, with whom I have been privileged to work in our efforts to fulfill the Church's mission, I express my deep gratitude. My gratitude extends as well to so many others with whom I have been associated inserving the common good, These include those from the ecumenical,Jewish, and wider inter-religious communities as well as publicofficials and others in the civil society.
"The particular circumstances of this time suggest a quietdeparture. Please keep me in your prayers," he said.
Dr Law (71), first offered his resignation in April, four monthsafter the scandal broke, but it was rejected.
The Vatican said the Pontiff had appointed Bishop RichardLennon as a special administrator to run the Boston archdiocese, untila new archbishop is named.
The scandal erupted in January when files in the case ofdefrocked priest and convicted paedophile John Geoghan showedthat the Cardinal knew of accusations against him but chose to transferhim from parish to parish without warning parents.
Dr Law has also held talks with top Vatican officials all weekabout plans for the archdiocese to declare bankruptcy as a wayof dealing with some 450 clergy sexual abuse lawsuits.
The Boston Archdiocese could be liable for over $100 million in compensation should the lawsuits succeed.
Cardinal Law and seven bishops who worked with him have been served with subpoenas to appear before a US grand jury to answer questions about their supervision of priests accused of sexually abusing children.
Last Sunday, 58 Boston priests called on Cardinal Law to step down.