Abuse survivors seek Law’s removal from Vatican congregations

Cashelguy, Law should strip himself of those memberships.powers and honors. He could still be a consultant though. Does anyone remember the old dixie saying "hell no we ain't forgettin" Let's no go there.

Peace and Good.
Many innocent people have suffered, and continue to suffer, very greatly. Our hearts go out to many families deeply wounded by actions so contrary to the teaching of Our Lord, and to ordinary human decency. With deep contrition, we ask forgiveness, and pray that Our Lord, who healed so many of diverse illnesses and torments, will act powerfully to heal in our times.

In a crisis such as we have lived through, people will have diverse reactions.
With the above paragraph understood, it is good to remember the teaching of Scripture:

'He who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord,
who keeps strict account of sin.
Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you,
and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.
If a man nurses anger against another,
can he then demand compassion from the Lord?
...remember the commandments, and do not bear your neighbour ill-will;
remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook the offence.'
Eclesiasticus 28:2-9

We are all called to bear good will towards one another. While suffering has been, and is, very great, there can be a temptation not to bear good will.

With all of the above understood, and taking into account the very great good that Cardinal Law has done throughout many years, it would be much better if the Cardinal could step aside from such high public office and responsability in Congregations of our Church.
Cardinal Emile Leger, of Canada, who delivered one of the closing messages of the Second Vatican Council, gave great example of how one can live the latter years of life, after high office in the Church, by going to Africa and working as missionary with the handicapped and those suffering from leprosy.
In the words of Fr Adolfo Nicolás,S.J., on Sunday: 'And we turn to the Gospel. This is how we can be true disciples of the Lamb of God, He who takes away our sins and leads us to a new world. And He, the Lamb of God, has shown himself as Servant, he who fulfills Isaiah’s prophecies, the message of the Prophets. His identity as Servant will be his sign, the mark of our own mission, of the call which we try to respond to these days.'
Fraternally,
Fr John Andersen

I don't know what it will take; I realize that The Church is an Authoritarian Institution, not "given" to the receipt of petitions or to a democratic way of dealing with things. I would suggest that "the people in the pews" withhold their contributions until such time as this blatant "slap in the face" toward those abused is rectified.

I'm sure it is difficult when a member of one's "In group", as Law appears to be, is accused of immoral and untoward behavior. Hard for his "friends" to believe! But if ordinary members of the Church are to "have respect for the Wisdom and Judgment of its appointed authorities" (let alone the Doctrine of Infallibility, which has been made ridiculous by this and other travesties--if this isn't "a matter of Faith and Morals" I wonder, what is?) surely steps need to be taken for Hierarchical Figures to become less like entitled Princes, and more like the Jesus of the Gospels.

I do not think it would be wrong for Catholics (and those scandalized into leaving the Church) to approach our own Congress, State Department and legal authorities over this blatant insult to the thousands of boys and girls, the poor Parents (some of whom have lost children to suicide, as NCR has reported) and those others left brokenhearted and wounded by the sexual abuse crimes.

Why should Benedict be allowed to visit our shores when he blatantly honors and gives refuge to a man (Cardinal Law and possibly others) who has participated in the perpetration of horrendous affronts to human dignity in this Country, while a "person in a position of trust"?(Isn't a Bishop, a Cardinal, etc. such a "person" as well?)

In the past, our State Department has refused entrance to people whose behavior has directly affected the wellbeing of our citizens. Surely, since so much of this criminal behavior has gone unpunished (and Cardinal Law is the outstanding example of this)--he should be off praying in a monastery for forgiveness for his "lapses of judgment", even if his crimes were not deliberate, although research of that period (See Frontline) indicates that may be somewhat doubtful. Certainly one does not get "rewarded" by being placed on several "Commissions" for doing a terible job that has harmed so many.

Bernard Law has been showered with honors since retreating to Rome after his disgrace in Boston. The positions he holds are not only a continued insult to the survivors of sexual abuse by priests, but to every Catholic who has seen their church donations go to pay for his and other bishops' misdeeds when they transferred predator priests from parish to parish. He should be stripped of all honors and powers he holds at the Vatican. If Benedict XVI refuses to do so then it is yet another sign that the old boy network in Rome doesn't get it.

Steve