Although many people within the Boston University community and its religious organizations have mixed feelings in reaction to Cardinal Law’s resignation as Archbishop of Boston, most say the Catholic Church abuse scandal has not adversely affected their faith or view of the Church.
One man working at the Catholic Center, who refused to give his name, said Law’s resignation is a positive step for the Church.
‘I feel that the Cardinal did the right thing by resigning; he had few other options, and he had lot the trust of his followers,’ he said. ‘I have faith in the Catholic Church as a community, but it seems that the leadership has long been behind the times on many issues.’
Law should not be immune to discipline due to his stature though, he said.
‘I do feel that the Cardinal should be treated as a normal person, criminal proceeding if necessary,’ he said. ‘His lack of action ruined many lives [and] as a leader, he needs to assume responsibility for this.’
Mike Joenze, a 21-year-old Catholic and Boston resident, accused the Cardinal of political motives and said the Church was due for a change.
‘He’s always been money grabbing and politically based for as long as I can remember,’ he said. ‘The Cardinal’s appeal every year is for money for the church for stupid reasons.’
The Rev. Paul Helfrich of the BU Catholic Center said Law’s decision showed his desire for reform.
‘I think that Cardinal Law realized that his remaining as Archbishop would no longer be helpful to the Archdiocese,’ he said. ‘I respect him for his willingness to step down and allow the Archdiocese to move forward under a new Bishop.’
He said Law’s temporary replacement, Bishop Richard Lennon, whom Helfrich knows personally, would effectively lead the Archdiocese of Boston.
‘He is very well-respected by the laity and clergy who know him, including myself,’ he said. ‘I think that he is an excellent choice as administer of the Archdiocese.’
Carlos Suarez, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences on the Catholic Center’s Pastoral Council, said he spoke candidly with Cardinal Law several times before and after the scandal was revealed.
‘Personally I know him to be a good and holy person,’ he said. ‘As Archbishop he did a lot of good for the poor, for minorities and for fostering dialog between Jews and Catholics.’
Suarez did offer criticism of Law’s handling of the abuse cases, however.
‘I find it hard to reconcile these actions with the Cardinal I have come to know and respect over the years,’ he said. ‘I know I lost some of my respect for him, but at the same time, I cannot ignore the good he has done.’
Suarez said Law resigned for the wrong reasons.
‘I truly feel that [his resignation] was mainly motivated by pressure from the media and from a few Catholics with their own agendas; though not bad in themselves, not representative of the majority opinion,’ he said.
Suarez said the Catholic Center is growing at BU despite the crisis.
‘The Catholic community at BU just recently welcomed some new members seeking admission into the Church, even in the midst of all this scandal,’ Suarez said. ‘That to me is inspiring and a sign for hope.’
Helfrich also said the Church crisis could actually positively affect some parishioners’ faith in the church.
‘I have found most people have matured in their faith through this scandal,’ he said. ‘They have come to see that their faith ultimately rests on the belief that Jesus established the Church and not on the holiness or lack of it in the Church’s ministers.’
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