Graduate Named New Archbishop

The newly appointed archbishop of Boston said yesterday he never imagined he'd become the spiritual leader of the nation's third-largest Catholic community when he committed himself to a theological career as a Harvard undergraduate.

"I certainly did not think I would be seeing this day," said Bishop Bernard Francis Law '53 in an interview yesterday. Law, now 52 years old, recalled deciding to devote his life to the Catholic Church his senior year, following regular involvement at St. Paul's Church, 34, Mt. Auburn St., and Harvard's Catholic Club, of which he was vice-president.

Pope John Paul II this week announced Law will succeed the late Cardinal Humberto Medeiros, who suffered heart failure last September. Law is the "first graduate of Harvard College that has become an archbishop," said Rev. Peter J. Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals.

Plans call for his installation in Boston's Cathedral of the Holy Cross on March 23.

Following graduation, Law went south because he felt "there was a greater need for priests in the South."

Civil Rights Activist

Following eight years of training in Louisiana, Law became deeply involved in the civil rights movement, joining the Mississippi Human Relations Council, and edited the Natchez Jackson Diocesan newspaper from 1963-68, which kept him in close contact with major civil rights leaders.

In the 25th Anniversary report of Harvard's class of '53, he wrote that "the Diocesan newspaper managed to speak to issues which were largely ignored or distorted by much of the local press and other news media."

In 1968, Law became executive director of the Bishop's Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, which promotes better understanding between the Catholic Church and other religious institutions.

He became bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Mo. in 1973, but continued his ecumenical work. He is currently a member of the Vatican secretariat for Promoting Christian unity and the Vatican's Commission on Religious Relations with the Jews.

But Law emphasized yesterday that it was his experience in Cambridge that launched his religious career.

At Harvard, the former resident of Adams House acquired "a love of learning that has stayed with me." I found the need to be precise in expression, the need to say what you say in a way that can be backed by fact," he added.

In addition to his involvement with the Catholic Church, Law as an undergraduate was a member of the Democratic club and interested in piano, swimming, and writing.

Rayond G. Ammar '53, one of Law's former roommates, yesterday said, "It was clear that his life was going to be in the Catholic Church."

Hollis Professor of Divinity Emeritus George Williams, who lectured at Law's church, described Law as "a humane, pastoral, and ecumenical figure."

Ideal Appointment

"He is the perfect appointment for the archdiocese of Boston," he added.

Law will become the eighth bishop in the history of Boston's archdiocese since Pope Pius VII appointed John Cheverus in 1808.