Cardinal celebrates Mass despite protests

updated 6:07 p.m. ET April 11, 2005

VATICAN CITY - Cardinal Bernard Law celebrated Mass in mourning for Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Basilica on Monday, ignoring protests from victims that his handling of the sex abuse scandal in the U.S. Catholic Church should disqualify him from the honor.

Police broke up a small but symbolic protest staged by two victims of sex abuse at the hands of American clergy, escorting one of them off St. Peter’s Square as she was preparing to distribute fliers.

Several uniformed officers walked Barbara Blaine, founder of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, behind barricades set up at the entrance to the square. The officers did not explain why they escorted Blaine off the piazza, and she had no immediate comment.

Blaine and another leader of the group brought their campaign for reform to the center of Roman Catholicism, demanding that Vatican officials bar Law from celebrating the important Mass mourning John Paul.

'Hurtful decision'
They arrived in Rome just hours before Monday’s service at St. Peter’s Basilica to condemn what they called the Vatican’s “hurtful decision” to choose Law for the honor. The Mass went ahead without disruption.

“In these incredible days, the pope continues to teach us what it means ... to be a follower of Christ,” Law said, reading his homily slowly in Italian. “Our faith has been reinforced.”

He also said Italian, Polish and other pilgrims were inspiring in their huge tribute of love and devotion to John Paul. Nearly 3 million mourners flooded Rome for his funeral last week.

Law resigned as archbishop of Boston in December 2002 after unsealed court records revealed he had moved predatory clergy among parishes without alerting parents that their children were at risk. More than 550 people have filed abuse claims in Boston in recent years, and the archdiocese has paid more than $85 million in settlements.

American cardinals generally have declined to comment on Law’s celebrating one of the nine daily Masses for John Paul, a period of mourning called Novemdiales. But some have said the Vatican likely chose him because he leads an important church, not to give him a personal honor.

Position of influence
St. Mary Major is one of four basilicas under direct Vatican jurisdiction.

Still, the assignment gives Law a position of influence. In their homilies, cardinals can highlight what they consider key concerns for the church. Observers will be analyzing the remarks for clues as to how the cardinals will vote when they begin meeting April 18 to choose a new pope.

Blaine said earlier Monday that the group was not opposed to Law’s participation in the conclave, but that his public role in the papal transition was hurtful.

“We are the sons and daughters of the Catholic family who were raped, sodomized and sexually molested by priests,” Blaine said, holding a photograph of herself as a child around the time she said a priest began molesting her.

Alessandro Bianchi / Reuters Chicago resident Barbara Blaine of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests is surrounded by Vatican police in St. Peter's Square on Monday before she can distribute fliers criticizing the prominent role given to Cardinal Bernard Law in ceremonies following the death of Pope John Paul II.

“At this time, we should be able to focus on the Holy Father’s death, instead of Cardinal Law’s prominence.”

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops declined comment. Law also has declined to comment through an aide at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, where the pope had appointed him archpriest last year. Law has apologized for his failures.

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