After long public absence, Cardinal Law re-emerges

BOSTON -- Cardinal Bernard Law practically dropped out of sight in the wake of this year's church sex scandal, making few public appearances other than Mass and answering demands for his resignation largely with silence.

Even as abuse victims accused him of neglecting them and his priests asked to meet with him, the once-outgoing Law had little to say.

But recently, Law seems to be emerging from seclusion.

In the past week, Law made several high-profile appearances, rallying with striking janitors and antiabortion groups. A meeting between Law and priests has been scheduled for this month. And advocates say Law has begun to reach out to victims groups in recent weeks.

Even reporters accustomed to being kept away from Law approached unimpeded after Sunday's Mass.

Some observers say Law's confidence might have been renewed after recent reforms in church sex abuse policies, as well as waning public interest in the scandal.

But others say rumors of Law's imminent departure remain as strong as ever, and they are baffled by his increased public profile.

"He is becoming more visible again and I don't know what that means," said Phil Saviano, regional director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests. "I think, if anything, I can tell you I'm confused."

Law has been under siege since January, when internal church papers revealed he knew now-defrocked priest John Geoghan was molesting children but transferred him between parishes anyway.

Thomas O'Connor, a retired Boston College historian and author of Boston Catholics, noted that Law for months "has been virtually a recluse."

That is why his recent appearances caught attention.

On Oct. 4, he appeared -- along with the governor, Bruce Springsteen and others -- at the dedication of Boston's Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge. Last Sunday, he spoke at an annual antiabortion rally on Boston Common.

On Tuesday, he held a Mass in support of janitors who are striking for better wages and health care.

"I almost started crying when I saw that," said former Mayor Ray Flynn, one-time U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. "That's the church I grew up with . . . putting the credibility of the church behind those poor janitors."

Law, who gave a deposition in a lawsuit Friday, was not available for comment, said his spokeswoman, Donna Morrissey. She said there is no design behind Law's recent appearances and noted that he appeared publicly in Canada at World Youth Day events and at the bishops' conference in Dallas in June.

"I wouldn't call it a concerted effort," she said. "I'd say it has continued."

But some said a change is undeniable.

Saviano said Law has been contacting victims and victims groups in recent weeks after having virtually no contact with any since January.

Law also reached out to priests who have been waiting since August for him to respond to a request for a meeting to discuss priests' rights, setting up conferences on Oct. 22 and 23, said the Rev. Paul Kilroy, a leader in the Boston Priests Forum, which represents about 250 priests.

The recent settlement with victims of lawsuits related to Geoghan, along with a loan from the Knights of Columbus that could enable the church to pay more settlements, might have given Law hope the scandal is passing, Kilroy said.

"He's testing the waters," Kilroy said. "It's a very human move on his part. You can't stay in the bunker."

Saviano said Law might feel emboldened because public interest in the scandal waned amid talk of war, the economy and other worries. The protests against him have become smaller, Saviano said.

"He's weathered the fire," Saviano said.

Flynn said Law has been out of public view only because he has been focused on changing the church's child-protection policies. With policies adopted locally and nationally, and with the Vatican close to changing its policy, it is natural for him to be seen more, he said.

Philip Lawler, former editor of the archdiocesan newspaper, the Pilot, said Law's shaken moral authority is an insurmountable obstacle if he wishes to re-engage with the public.

"I don't see how it can work," he said. "His credibility has suffered mortal wounds."

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