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  Msgr. Santos Abril Replaces Card. Bernard Law As Archpriest of St. Mary Major

Rome Reports
November 21, 2011

http://www.romereports.com/palio/msgr-santos-abril-replaces-card-bernard-law-as-archpriest-of-st-mary-major-english-5471.html

[with video]

The Basilica of Saint Mary Major will no longer be headed by Cardinal Bernard Law, who turned 80 in early November. Benedict XVI has nominated 76 year old Msgr. Santos Abril as the new archpriest of the Basilica. It's a title that's usually given to a Cardinal.

In 2004, Law was appointed archpriest of the Basilica. He resigned as Boston's Archbishop back in 2002, after reports showed he mishandled a series of sex abuse cases.

Msgr. Abril is also the vice-chamberlain of the Roman Church. Under that post, he has the responsibility of running the Vatican, along with the Chamberlain, in case of a papal death, until a new pontiff is elected.

The Basilica of St. Mary Major is one of four papal basilicas in Rome. It's also one of the oldest churches, dating back to the V century.

 
 

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