Cardinal Law and the laity
Latest coverage
March 23
Law's words frame new play
March 2
Wary Catholics return to church
January 25, 2004
Churches report attendance up
January 4, 2004
Dot parish struggles to survive
December 28
Hudson fill-in priest welcomed
December 12
Law prays daily for diocese
November 22
Assignment for Law expected
November 20
Policies on VOTF reconsidered
September 19
Crisis issues in church's future
September 18
Meeting ban at parish is lifted
August 4
O'Malley given warm welcome
August 1
Lawmakers see shades of gray
July 31
An angry protest, and prayers
Voices of protest and support
Three in crowd bound in hope
At BC, optimistic students watch
July 29
Lay group to engage O'Malley
July 24
Many outraged after AG's report
July 21
Law to skip bishop installation
July 18
O'Malley invites Law, victims
July 11
Bishops seek private opinions
Earlier stories
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December 14
Cardinal Law resigns
By Michael Paulson, Globe Staff
The tarnished career of one of America's most prominent churchmen came to an ignominious end on December 13 as Cardinal Bernard F. Law, meeting with Pope John Paul II in Rome, resigned as archbishop of Boston.
Sexual abuse scandal eclipses a far-reaching record
In cardinal's final days, a firestorm ignites
Admission of awareness on abuse damning for Law
Rare speed displayed by Vatican in acting on Law
Cardinal's loyal deputies seen drawing new focus
The successor
Pope's choice is expected to receive close scrutiny
Bishop Lennon is described as a skilled manager
Lennon memo cited in abuse case from mid-1990s
Reaction
Abuse victims react to resignation with relief, reflection
On a day of pain, Catholics cling to hope of rebirth
Priests see sadness and hope in cardinal's fall
Many Latinos look into hearts and find forgiveness
Channel 4 was along in cutting back coverage
Investigations
Deposition of Law may wait if Ch. 11 filing is put off
Despite departure, archdiocese faces a 'mess' in court
Scandal's impact
Patterns of priest sexual abuse found nationwide
Around the world, cleric sex abuse takes a toll
Opinion
Editorial: The cardinal's departure
Op-ed: Law was the captain of his own Titanic fall
Official statements
Cardinal Law on his resignation
Reaction from organizations, officials, and clergy
Timeline
2002, a tumultuous year in the Boston archdiocese
December 15
Cardinal Law talks of an uncertain future
By Charles M. Sennott, Globe Staff
One day after the pope accepted his resignation, Cardinal Bernard Law said he was unsure what role he will play in the church. "I honestly do not know," he said. "I need to turn my thoughts and prayers toward figuring that out."
On return to US, cardinal talks of uncertain future
Lay reform groups, priests are reassessing their roles
Firm finds church has at least $90 million in insurance
Priests' homilies focus on reuniting, healing Catholics
Seven people who made a difference in the church crisis
Among Law's many admirers, a sympathetic view
New archdiocese leader to address abuse crisis at Mass
Eileen McNamara: Rome faces new reality
Joan Vennochi: For Catholics, a painful journey
December 16
Bishop Lennon vows to work for healing in church
Protesters vow to keep it up, say other prelates guilty
Adrian Walker: Among Catholics, skepticism and prayer
December 17
Law plans new life outside Boston archdiocese
Catholic Charities accepts donation from lay group
Attorneys release records on 10 more priests, brothers
Final OK given to US bishops' child-protection policy
A Canton parish has begun to heal, but scars remain
James Carroll: The sadness of a Catholic
Op-Ed: A foundation for change in the Catholic Church
Three days after his resignation, Cardinal Law reads a brief statement to reporters at the Chancery complex in Brighton. (Globe Staff Photo / John Bohn)
Bernard Law in Boston
A collection of Globe coverage of the former archbishop, from his arrival in Boston in 1984, through his elevation to cardinal and his rise to prominence as one of America's foremost religious figures.
Cardinal Law resigns
On the day of Cardinal Law's resignation, Boston.com readers shared their thoughts on his career in Boston and the future of the archdiocese after his departure.
An extra edition of The Boston Globe announcing Law's resignation.
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