Cardinal Law explains church’s rejection of settlement

Associated Press

BOSTON – Cardinal Bernard Law on Sunday acknowledged the anguish caused by the archdiocese’s withdrawal from a settlement with 86 alleged victims of sexual abuse and said he would seek an “equitable solution.”

In a rare, detailed accounting of the church’s legal affairs, Law explained that the archdiocese’s Finance Council had rejected the agreement because of what he called a “laudable” concern about the growing number of victims and the church’s diminishing resources.

He disclosed that the number of additional sexual abuse claims against priests and the archdiocese had grown from 30 to 150 in recent weeks.

“I trust you can understand the disappointment, the anger and even the sense of fresh betrayal which may be in the hearts of the 86 persons,” Law told parishioners at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Sunday.

“Nonetheless, I pray that, as time goes on, they may be willing to help in the framing of a wider settlement which can include the victims who have only recently come forward,” he said.

Law addressed this latest controversy Sunday as he launched his annual appeal to raise millions to help cover the archdiocese’s day-to-day operating expenses and charitable mission.

He has repeatedly said the money would not be used to cover settlements. Last year’s appeal raised $16.1 million.

Outside the cathedral, demonstrators gathered at the door where Law exits and chased his car down the street, waving signs and chanting: “First things first, pay the victims now.”

Law’s hand-picked advisers on the archdiocese’s Finance Council outraged victims’ advocates Friday when they refused to approve a settlement worth an estimated $15 million to $30 million with 86 people who have accused former priest John Geoghan of sexual abuse.

Geoghan was convicted in January of fondling a boy and is serving a nine- to 10-year prison sentence.

Law said he had learned only Friday that the settlement with Geoghan’s accusers had to be reviewed by the 15-member financial council, made up mainly of lay business people.

The council denied his request, the cardinal said, because “the dramatic increase in the number of cases has substantially altered the situation.”