Bernard Cardinal Law

Styles of Bernard Cardinal Law
Reference style	His Eminence
Spoken style	Your Eminence
Informal style	Cardinal
See	Boston (Emeritus)

Bernard Francis Cardinal Law (born November 4, 1931 in Torreon, Mexico) is a Roman Catholic cardinal and is the archpriest of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Cardinal Priest of the Titulus S. Susannae and a member of the Roman Curia that governs the Universal Church. He resigned as archbishop of Boston on December 13, 2002, in response to the Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal. Image File history File links LAW.jpg Lupo 06:31, 28 October 2005 (UTC) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links LAW.jpg Lupo 06:31, 28 October 2005 (UTC) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (550x741, 86 KB) Description: Vestments of a cardinal: red cassock, rochet trimmed with lace, red chimere, apostolical cross. ... A style of office, or honorific, is a form of address which by tradition or law precedes a reference to a person who holds a title or post, or to the political office itself. ... Boston is a town and small port c. ... Emeritus is a title given to a retired professor, bishop or other professional. ... A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official in the Roman Catholic Church, ranking just below the Pope and appointed by him as a member of the College of Cardinals during a consistory. ... November 4 is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 57 days remaining. ... 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link is to a full 1931 calendar). ... Torreón is a city in Coahuila, Mexico. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official in the Roman Catholic Church, ranking just below the Pope and appointed by him as a member of the College of Cardinals during a consistory. ... In Christianity, an archbishop is an elevated bishop. ... Boston is a town and small port c. ... In the late 20th century, and especially at the turn of the 21st, the Catholic Church in several countries was confronted with a series of allegations concerning sexual abuse of children under the legal age of consent ¹ by Catholic clergy and religious. ...

Early life

Law was born in Torreón, Mexico on November 4, 1931 where his father, a career Air Force officer, was then stationed at the United States Air Force base. He attended schools in New York, Florida, Georgia, and Barranquilla, Colombia, and graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Torreón is a city in Coahuila, Mexico. ... November 4 is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 57 days remaining. ... 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link is to a full 1931 calendar). ... The United States Air Force (or USAF) is the aerospace branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ... Official language(s) None, English de facto Capital Albany Largest city New York City Area  Ranked 27th  - Total 54,520 sq. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,794 sq. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Saint Thomas is an island in the Caribbean Sea and a constituent of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). ...

He graduated from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts with a major in medieval history, before entering priesthood studies at St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, Louisiana, from 1953 to 1955, and the Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio, from 1955 to 1961. Harvard University campus (old map) Harvard University (incorporated as The President and Fellows of Harvard College) is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ... Cambridge City Hall Settled: 1630 â€“ Incorporated: 1636 Zip Code(s): 02139 â€“ Area Code(s): 617 / 857 Official website: http://www. ... Official language(s) English Capital Boston Largest city Boston Area  Ranked 44th  - Total 10,555 sq. ... Official language(s) English and French Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans at last census; probably Baton Rouge since Hurricane Katrina Area  Ranked 31st  - Total 51,885 sq. ... The Pontifical College Josephinum is a four-year liberal arts college and graduate school of theology located at 7625 North High Street, in Columbus, Ohio. ... Worthington is a city located in Franklin County, Ohio. ... Official language(s) None Capital Largest city Columbus Columbus (largest metropolitan area is Cleveland) Area  Ranked 34th  - Total 44,825 sq. ...

On May 21, 1961 Law was ordained a priest and worked as a priest of Natchez-Jackson Mississippi. He served two years as an assistant pastor, and was made the editor of the Mississippi Register, the diocesan newspaper. He also held several other diocesan posts from 1963 to 1968, including director of the family life bureau and spiritual director of the minor seminary. May 21 is the 141st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (142nd in leap years). ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... Natchez is a city located in Adams CountyGR6 in southwest Mississippi. ... Jackson skyline Nickname: The Best of the New South and The Bold, New City Map Political Statistics Founded 1822 County Hinds County Mayor Frank Melton Geographic Statistics Area  - Total  - Land  - Water 276. ... Official language(s) English Capital Jackson Largest city Jackson Area  Ranked 32nd  - Total 48,434 sq. ...

Civil Rights Activism

Law was a civil rights activist, and took part in some of the civil rights marches of the times. He was a member of the Mississippi Leadership Conference and Mississippi Human Relations Council. For his civil rights activities and his strong editorial positions on civil rights in the Mississippi Register, he received death threats.

Law received national attention for his work for ecumenism in the Deep South in the 1960s and in 1968 he was tapped for his first national post, as executive director of the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.

Bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau

Pope Paul VI named him bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri on October 22, 1973 and was formally ordained as a bishop on December 5, 1973. October 22 is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 70 days remaining. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... December 5 is the 339th day (340th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1975, he made the news when, he arranged for the resettlement in his diocese of one hundred and sixty-six Vietnamese refugees who had arrived in the United States, and who were members of the Vietnamese religious order, the Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix. 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ...

In continuing his ecumenical work, Law formed the Missouri Christian Leadership Conference. He was made a member of the Vatican's Secretariat (now Pontifical Council) for Promoting Christian Unity and served from 1976 to 1981 as a consultor to its Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews. In the late 1970s, Law would also chair the U.S. bishops' Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.

In 1981, Law was named the Vatican delegate to develop and oversee a program instituted by The Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in which U.S. Episcopalians would be accepted into the Catholic priesthood. In the program's first year sixty-four former Episcopalian priests applied for acceptance.

In this period Law was also a pro-life activist and spoke out harshly against abortion. During the 1984 presidential race, when Geraldine Ferraro, who was a Roman Catholic, was the Democratic vice presidential candidate, Law and then-Archbishop John J. O'Connor of New York both denounced her support of abortion rights for women. Law called abortion "the critical issue of the moment." It has been suggested that Anti-abortion movement be merged into this article or section. ... Geraldine Ferraro Geraldine Anne Ferraro (born August 26, 1935) is a politician from New York, serving in the United States House of Representatives and who received the nomination of the Democratic Party to run for Vice President of the United States. ... John Cardinal OConnor John Joseph Cardinal OConnor, (January 15, 1920 – May 3, 2000) was the eleventh bishop (eighth archbishop) of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, serving from 1984 until his death in 2000. ...

Coat of arms of Cardinal Bernard Law, with his motto "To live is Christ", in front of Santa Susanna.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (975x1044, 164 KB) Summary Coat of Arms of Cardinal Bernard Law, from Santa Susanna, Rome. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (975x1044, 164 KB) Summary Coat of Arms of Cardinal Bernard Law, from Santa Susanna, Rome. ... Baroque façade of Santa Susanna, by Carlo Maderno (1603). ...

Archbishop of Boston

On January 11, 1984, Cardinal Law was appointed Archbishop of Boston, prelate bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston by Pope John Paul II. He was formally installed as Archbishop on March 23, 1984. January 11 is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A prelate is a member of the clergy who either has ordinary jurisdiction over a group of people or ranks in precedence with ordinaries. ... A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority. ... Archbishop Sean P. OMalley - the current Archbishop of Boston. ... March 23 is the 82nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (83rd in Leap years). ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Only a little over a year later on May 25, 1985, he was elevated in consistory as a member of the College of Cardinals where he was also appointed the Cardinal-priest of San Susanna. May 25 is the 145th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (146th in leap years). ... This article is about the year. ... The Sacred College of Cardinals is the body of all Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church. ...

It was his speech at the 1985 extraordinary Synod of Bishops marking the 20th anniversary of the end of the Second Vatican Council, that led to development of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in which Law oversaw the first draft of the English translation.

In the mid-1980s, Law chaired the bishops' Committee on Pastoral Research and Practices at the time it distributed a major study report on Freemasonry. The bishops' report concluded that "the principles and basic rituals of Masonry embody a naturalistic religion, active participation in which is incompatible with Christian faith and practice." The Masonic Square and Compasses. ...

In 1989 and 1990 Law visited Cuba. He met with Fidel Castro in 1990 and in January of 1998 he led a delegation of two hundred and forty Bostonians to Cuba during the papal visit there. In 2000 he was part of an inter-American delegation of bishops that met with Castro for more than four hours. Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (born August 13, 1926) has been the autocratic leader of Cuba since 1959, when he commanded the attack that overthrew Fulgencio Batista. ...

Law has also been an insistent advocate of peace in the Middle East, international justice, Catholic-Jewish relations and ecumenism to war and peace.

During his time as Archbishop he continued to be a constant advocate of the right to life of the unborn. However, in 1995, when John C. Salvi attacked two Boston abortion clinics, he urged a moratorium on clinic protests.

After his resignation as Archbishop of Boston on December 13, 2002, Pope John Paul II appointed Cardinal Law to several authoritative positions in Rome and the Vatican City. He is currently the archpriest of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Cardinal Priest of the Titulus S. Susannae. December 13 is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... City motto: Senatus Populusque Romanus – SPQR (The Senate and the People of Rome) Founded 21 April 753 BC (mythical), early 1st millennium BC (archaeological) Region Latium Area  - City Proper  1285 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density (city proper) 2,553,873 almost 4,300,000 1. ... An archpriest is the title of a priest which has supervisory duties over a number of parishes. ... The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. ... Cardinal Priests are the most numerous of the three orders of Cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church. ... Baroque façade of Santa Susanna, by Carlo Maderno (1603). ...

Sexual abuse scandal

Cardinal Law's reign as Archbishop of Boston began in popularity but quickly declined into turbulence towards the end of his term. Allegations of sexual misconduct by priests of the Archdiocese of Boston became widespread causing Roman Catholics in other dioceses of the United States to investigate similar situations there. Cardinal Law's actions prompted public scrutiny of all members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the steps they've taken in response to past and current allegations of sexual misconduct by priests. The events in the Archdiocese of Boston exploded into a national Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal. The following is a list of the Roman Catholic dioceses of the United States. ... The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (also known as the USCCB) is the official governing body of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. ... In the late 20th century, and especially at the turn of the 21st, the Catholic Church in several countries was confronted with a series of allegations concerning sexual abuse of children under the legal age of consent ¹ by Catholic clergy and religious. ...

Grassroots public advocacy groups like Voice of the Faithful hounded Cardinal Law after documents revealed his alleged role in covering up incidents of sexual misconduct of priests. For example, during Cardinal Law's tenure Paul Shanley and John Geoghan were moved from parish to parish within the diocese despite repeated allegations of molestation of children under the priest's care. Later, it was discovered that Father Shanley advocated the North American Man-Boy Love Association.The defense he provided was "failure to keep proper records." Voice of the Faithful is an organization formed in response to the sexual abuse scandals within the Roman Catholic Church, by Boston-based Roman Catholics who felt that those guilty of abusing children, or failing to protect children, should be brought to account. ... Father Paul Shanley, a defrocked priest, served at St. ... John J. Geoghan (about 1935 - August 23, 2003) was a key figure in the Roman Catholic sex abuse cases that rocked the Boston Archdiocese in the 1990s and 2000s, and eventually led to the resignation of Bernard Cardinal Law on December 13, 2002. ... A NAMBLA logo. ...

The cardinal said his practice was to seek the analysis of psychiatrists, clinicians, and therapists in residential treatment centers before deciding whether a priest accused of sexually abusing a child should be returned to the pulpit.

As a result of the widespread sex scandal, the Archdiocese of Boston lost millions of dollars in fines and settlements. Over fifty priests signed a letter declaring no confidence in Cardinal Law and asking him to resign - something that had never before happened in the history of the Church in America. As a result of the scandal, the Archdiocese was eventually forced to close sixty-five parishes.

Realizing that his staying on as the cardinal of Boston and that he would be ineffective in his office Law submitted his resignation to the Vatican and Pope John Paul II accepted his resignation on December 13, 2002. In a statement Cardinal Law said, "To all those who have suffered from my shortcomings and mistakes I both apologize and from them beg forgiveness." December 13 is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ...

On Thursday, April 7, 2005, Bernard Cardinal Law leads Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, president of the Philippines, into the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome to attend a Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of the late Pope John Paul II. The Philippines has the largest Roman Catholic population in Asia. (Photo by Luca Bruno.)

Photo by Luca Bruno of Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo being led by Bernard Cardinal Law into St. ... Photo by Luca Bruno of Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo being led by Bernard Cardinal Law into St. ... The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. ...

Appointments

Following his resignation, on May 27, 2004, Pope John Paul II appoined Cardinal Law to several administrative posts of the Roman Curia and named him as archpriest of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the five major basilica of the Roman Catholic Church. Several advocacy groups, including the Survivors Network of Those Abused By Priests (SNAP) and Voice of the Fatithful, protested, and questioned the duties given to Cardinal Law, suggesting and alleging that "it showed a lack of respect for the abuse victims". May 27 is the 147th day (148th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 218 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Roman Curia (sometimes, if inaccurately, called the Vatican) is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See, coordinating and providing the necessary organisation for the correct functioning of the Catholic Church and the achievement of its goals. ... An archpriest is the title of a priest which has supervisory duties over a number of parishes. ... The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. ... St. ...

After the death and funeral of Pope John Paul II, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Dean of the College of Cardinals (and later to become John Paul II's successor as Pope Benedict XVI), gave Cardinal Law the honor of celebrating one of nine official Vatican masses during the nine official days of mourning. That also drew protests from victim's advocacy groups, who felt that Law was unworthy to be given the honor of celebrating one of these Masses, and that it also showed a further lack of respect towards victims. The funeral of Pope John Paul II was held on 8 April 2005, six days after his death on 2 April. ... Pope Benedict XVI (Latin: , born Joseph Alois Ratzinger on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria, Germany) is the 265th[1] and reigning Pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, and sovereign of Vatican City State. ... The Dean of the College of Cardinals is the president of the College of Cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church and as such is always a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church of the episcopal order. ... Pope Benedict XVI (Latin: , born Joseph Alois Ratzinger on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria, Germany) is the 265th[1] and reigning Pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, and sovereign of Vatican City State. ...

As a member of the College of Cardinals under the age of 80, Law was also one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI as successor to John Paul II. In a diary published by an anonymous Cardinal, Law was reputed to have received one vote on the last ballot in the 2005 papal conclave. Law will be eligble to participate in any future papal conclaves that begin before November 4, 2011 when he will turn 80 years old. The following were the cardinal electors in the 2005 papal conclave. ... The Papal conclave of 2005 was convoked due to the death of Pope John Paul II on April 2, 2005. ... Pope Benedict XVI (Latin: , born Joseph Alois Ratzinger on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria, Germany) is the 265th[1] and reigning Pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, and sovereign of Vatican City State. ... November 4 is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 57 days remaining. ... 2011 (MMXI) will be a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Episcopal Succession

The episcopate is the status of a bishop. ... December 5 is the 339th day (340th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... October 8 is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years). ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years). ... This article is about the year. ... Roberto Octavio González Nieves (born June 2, 1950) is a Puerto Rican leader of the Roman Catholic Church who is the current Archbishop of San Juan. ... October 3 is the 276th day of the year (277th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 21 is the 141st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (142nd in leap years). ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... May 21 is the 141st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (142nd in leap years). ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (362nd in leap years). ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Most Reverend William Murphy has served as bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, USA since 2001. ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (362nd in leap years). ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 17 is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years). ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... September 17 is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years). ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... This article is about the year 2000. ... September 14 is the 257th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (258th in leap years). ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... Richard Gerald Lennon (born 26 March 1947) is a Roman Catholic bishop. ... September 14 is the 257th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (258th in leap years). ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ...

External links

• Cardinal Bernard Law Biography
• The Boston Globe
• The Vatican's official site for him