As the sexual abuse scandal unfolded, the Globe's editorial board and columnists weighed in with their perspectives. The writers, many Catholics themselves, reflected public sentiment on the scandal, alternately expressing sorrow, anger, and frustration. In April 2002, the Globe's editorial board, which had resisted the rising call for Cardinal Bernard F. Law's resignation, expressed its final loss of faith in the cardinal after the release of damaging documents in the Rev. Paul Shanley case.
After the cardinal resigned Dec. 13, 2002, the Globe editorial board said his departure was "a sad but necessary end to one chapter in the sex abuse scandal that has roiled the church and its community."
The Globe has also been a forum for public discussion, as prominent Bostonians, politicians, scholars, and priests have turned to the Op-Ed page to voice their opinions on the scandal. In addition, the Globe ombudsman has weighed in periodically with critiques of the paper's extensive coverage of the abuse crisis.
See the story list to the left for the latest Globe opinion pieces on the scandal.
On April 10, 2002, a Globe editorial called for Cardinal Bernard F. Law to resign.
Eight months later, on Dec. 14, the Globe reacted to Law's departure.
APRIL 17, 2002