UNITED STATES/ROME
Catholic News Agency
By Father Rocky Hoffman *
I have a question regarding Cardinal Bernard Law, once residing in Boston and now in Rome. It seems evident from the notoriety of the sex abuse scandals in Boston that Cardinal Law was not only complicit but probably also instrumental in the moving around of priests (which many of us faithful and life-long Catholics call the Catholic Shell Game, i.e. under which shell is the real abuser).
In light of this assumption, and if this assumption is indeed valid, it is hard for those of us who try to faithfully to “follow the rules” to understand how his conduct seems to be ‘rewarded’ by his assignment to one of the major basilicas in Rome. Sackcloth and ashes in a remote monastery with perpetual prayer and penance would seem to be more appropriate!
Two of the major components of our beautiful Sacrament of Reconciliation are penance AND reparation. I see nothing that gives evidence to this in the life of Cardinal Law, nor does he have to return to the scene of his crime and see everyday the people who he has wounded and whose lives he has destroyed. I saw a suggestion in an article by Father James Martin, S.J. that to fulfill the reparational aspect of Reconciliation wouldn’t it be a beautiful and healing gesture by the bishops in this country to offer, every Friday, the Stations of the Cross in reparation for the victims who suffered abuse at the hands of priests.
I especially need help in understanding the gold ring that it appears Cardinal Law has grabbed as he rode the Vatican merry-go-round, and on the lack of public compassion for victims exhibited in my mind, by the church as a whole.
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