Cardinal Law acknowledges 'terrible evil' of abuse

BOSTON -- Cardinal Bernard Law acknowledged Sunday that some of his decisions regarding priests were wrong, and said he has a "far deeper awareness of this terrible evil" of clergy sexual abuse than he did ten months ago, when the scandal first broke.

Victims of abuse, with whom Law recently met, urged him to speak out more publicly and frequently. He agreed, saying at Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross that he was trying to "honor the spirit" of that meeting.

"As I have listened personally to the stories of men and women who have endured such abuse, I have learned that some of these consequences include lifelong struggles with alcohol and drug abuse, depression, difficulty in maintaining relationships and, sadly, suicide," he said.

"I acknowledge my own responsibility for decisions which led to intense suffering."

Law has recently emerged from virtual seclusion, meeting this past week with a group of alleged sexual abuse victims of the late Rev. Joseph Birmingham.

That meeting came shortly after archdiocese officials met with leaders of Catholic reform group Voice of the Faithful, whom Law has largely shunned. The group later said Law will meet privately with them in the future.

Law said Sunday he never meant to assign priests to positions where they could endanger children, but "the fact of the matter remains that I did assign priests who had committed sexual abuse," he said in his comments.

Victims' advocates said the statement and acknowledgment were long overdue.

"I would say I am cautiously optimistic about his change of heart, but thus far, his actions have not seemed consistent," said Bill Gately, co-coordinator of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests New England chapter.