Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Cardinal in sex abuse scandal may resign

Peter Popham
Thursday 12 December 2002 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston, the man at the centre of the sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church in America, has discussed his possible resignation with leading officials in Rome, sources in the Vatican revealed yesterday.

He meets the Pope today, when the issue is bound to come up again. The cardinal, who is under intense pressure to go from priests and lay members of his archdiocese, has been in Rome all week for crisis talks.

In the face of lawsuits from victims of abuse by priests under his charge, he has recommended that the Church apply for protective bankruptcy to protect its assets. This would require handing control of church funds to a civil judge, a move the Vatican would strongly resist.

The cardinal was served a subpoena last Friday to appear before a Massachusetts grand jury investigating the sex abuse allegations.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in