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Archive of coverage

December 2002

December 1
Archdiocese weighs bankruptcy filing
Law firm seeks court inquiry on compliance
In West Bridgewater, prayers for a banished priest

December 2
Bankruptcy hint clouds church settlement talks

December 3
Bankruptcy seen to push insurance firms on claims
Globe Editorial: A bankrupt archdiocese?

December 4
Records detail quiet shifting of rogue priests
Priest invoked religion for sexual acts with teen girls
Records show a trail of secrecy and deception
The life of a violent South Shore priest is detailed
Bishop's repeated letters of warning were ignored
Church advisers to weigh bankruptcy option

December 5
Law given authority to seek Ch. 11 by church council
Law imposes curbs on parish of outspoken pastor
Adrian Walker: No more excuses for Cardinal Law
Globe Editorial: Cardinal Law's duty is to step aside

December 6
Priests agonize over new church disclosures
Needham priest had two children, kept his status
Derrick Z. Jackson: Cardinal Law's bankrupt leadership

December 7
Priests weigh call for Law's departure

December 8
Protestant ministers reaching out to Catholics
Law will not say Sunday homily as scheduled
Globe Magazine: A gay former priest speaks out
Eileen McNamara: Priest merely fits the mold of church
Ellen Goodman: A new chapter in the church tale

December 9
Cardinal Law travels to Vatican for advice
Outspoken Newton priest receives standing ovation
Letter on Cardinal Law from Voice of the Faithful president

December 10
58 priests send a letter urging Cardinal Law to resign
Law and Vatican weigh cost of the abuse scandal
Bishops fear Vatican remarks on gays will incite crimes
New files show cardinal acting on seven abuse cases
Shanley may be freed on bail, Middlesex DA says
Op-Ed: Affirming gay and lesbian priests

December 11
N.H. diocese admits likely criminal violations
Law to confer with pope on his future, two officials say
Church impedes state probe into abuse, Reilly says
Cardinal quits trustee post at Catholic University
More priests seek to sign letter asking for Law to resign
Eileen McNamara: The law of unintended consequences

December 12
Subpoenas for Law, other clerics in abuse probe
Lay group votes to seek ouster of Cardinal Law
Abuse protesters fume as Shanley is released on bail
Documents detail Law's steps on pastor, transferred priest
Archdiocese accidentally releases files of wrong priest

December 13
Law meets with pope at Vatican to discuss his future
Reilly says he has evidence of coverup by archdiocese
A resignation seen less likely to lead to others
On TV, story on Law grows, but pulls back by day's end
New church files show more abuses by Boston clergy
Op-Ed: The spirit of Advent and Cardinal Law
Brian McGrory: Let faith take its course

December 14
Pope accepts Law's resignation in Rome
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
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
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
Deposition of Law may wait if Ch. 11 filing is put off
Despite departure, archdiocese faces a 'mess' in court
Patterns of priest sexual abuse found nationwide
Around the world, cleric sex abuse takes a toll
Cardinal Law's statement on his resignation
Reaction from organizations, officials, and clergy
Globe Editorial: The cardinal's departure
Op-Ed: Law was the captain of his own Titanic fall
Timeline: A tumultuous year in the Boston archdiocese

December 15
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

December 18
Files highlight church deference on more priests
Bishop faults Catholic Charities for accepting lay donation
Lennon to outline his goals for Boston archdiocese
Monsignor argues abuse suit against him is too late
Timing keeps Law resignation off Catholic front pages
Eileen McNamara: Silence was their downfall

December 19
Lennon promises effort to settle abuse claims
Excerpts from Bishop Lennon's remarks
Lennon's earnestness soothes some church critics
Letters show fear of scandal in '84 alleged abuse case
Adrian Walker: Advice from a sexual abuse victim
Globe Editorial: Bishop Lennon's role in healing church
Op-Ed: Restoring harmony to the archdiocese

December 20
Files: Church struck deals with accusers
Brian McGrory: The kinder face of the church

December 21
Lawyer to ask judge to resume Law's testimony

December 22
Refocused church seeks to increase donations
Ideas: Cardinal Law failed to realize changing times
Eileen McNamara: For faithful, a rift widens
Op-Ed: Cardinal Law's Cuban 'miracle'

December 23
Lennon picks properties for sale, eyes court test
Devoted protesters plan picket in Manchester, N.H.

December 25
Vietnamese Catholics praise Law, give him gift
Eileen McNamara: The spirit of Christmas

December 27
Women face stigma of clergy sexual abuse

December 28
Foster's accuser asks archdiocese to reopen case

December 29
Spotlight: Children speak out on abusive priest

December 31
Death of accused N.H. priest presumed a suicide

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