Cardinal Law Asks Forgiveness for Abusers

Cardinal Bernard F. Law '53 of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has apologized on behalf of the Church to victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by members of the clergy.

On Nov. 14, in his weekly column in the Pilot, the archdiocesan newspaper, Law asked for forgiveness from victims.

"With all my heart I beg forgiveness of all who have been hurt by such acts of abuse," Law wrote.

The apology was part of a concerned effort by Boston-area churches to reach out to victims. Under a theme of healing, five Masses were given throughout the Archdiocese of Boston, with the last conducted on Nov. 19 at St. Julia's Church in Weston.

Prayers will be offered for victims and their families and loved ones. The clergy who committed abuses will also be in the prayers of parishoners.

Law's column focused on Christ's ability to heal the wounds, both physical and emotional, of victims.

"Throughout the Archdiocese, the regional bishops are celebrating series of Masses to implore the healing of Jesus for the pain and suffering caused by sexual abuse of children by clergy," Law wrote.

"I know of nothing that has caused greater pain to the Church than has this phenomenon of abuse."

The column also touched on the challenge of presenting the Church as a holy institution when its members are inherent sinners.

"The Church...is also a Church of sinners," Law wrote. "The more obvious the effects of sin within ourselves, her members, the more difficult it is to recognize the Church as holy."

Jacqui L. Landry, chaplin for Harvard students at St. Paul's Church, said that the column, though striking, is not an unusual move.

"This year the Pope has formally apologized for many, many things, including Galileo and the Inquisition," Landry said in a telephone interview.

"It's important to understand that the Church is a spiritual institution and human, too," Landry said.

"Its members are capable of committing grievous errors and it's important to apologize and show the ability of the Spirit to heal," she added.

One man who said he was abused by a Catholic priest as a child criticized the column, telling the Associated Press that it was only "aimed at smoothing out rough edges."

Still, Landry said that Law's statement was a step in the right direction.

"The apology was never meant to eradicate all the pain and all the hurt, but it's important for the leader of the Church to acknowledge wrongdoing," Landry said.