A United States Roman Catholic Cardinal, Cardinal Bernard Law, who was forced to resign as archbishop of Boston in 2002 over sex abuse scandals, has died at the age of 86 in Rome. Cardinal Law was accused of moving paedophile priests from parishes rather than confront accusations or administering sanctions to priests found guilty of the allegations. The Cardinal after leaving Boston took a post at the Vatican where he worked until 2011.
Recall that the Boston Catholic Diocese was rocked in January 2002 by allegations of sexual misconduct by dozens of priests over a time span of decades. The allegations prompted the Vatican to draw up new plans to combat child sex abuse in the Roman Catholic Church.
The Diocese avoided bankruptcy by agreeing to sell land and buildings for more than $100m (£74m) to fund legal settlements for more than 500 abuse victims.
Cardinal Law who was appointed the Arch Bishop of Boston in 1984 stepped down in 2002 after Boston Globe newspaper's investigative spotlight team raised an alarm that priests under him were sexually abusing children. The report further claimed that instead of reporting the matter to the police or laity, the Cardinal merely transferred them to other parishes.
In his step-down speech, the Cardinal said: "It is my fervent prayer that this action may help the Archdiocese of Boston to experience the healing, reconciliation and unity which are so desperately needed."
