when i grow up i wanna be a arch-priest

By Diogenes ( articles ) | May 30, 2004

From Bernard Cardinal Law's Jan 22, 2003 deposition, concerning a letter and memorandum sent to Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Sodano requesting laicization for Rev. Robert Burns.

MACLEISH: Well, Cardinal, why don't we just look again at Exhibit 2 and let me read you the last paragraph and see if you want to modify the answer you just gave.

"During his eight-year presence within the Archdiocese of Boston, Rev. Robert Burns is alleged to have sexually molested six young men. This propensity was known to officials within the Archdiocese of Boston but overlooked in favor of Fr. Burns' solemn assurance of his ability to control his impulses."

Do you see that?

LAW: I see that.

MACLEISH: So you wrote that Father Burns, that his propensity to become sexually involved with young men was known to officials within the Archdiocese of Boston. That's what you said to the Holy See, correct?

LAW: Well, I ... I did not prepare this memorandum; I submitted this memorandum.

MACLEISH: Did you read it?

LAW: I can't say whether I read it or not.

MACLEISH: A memorandum to the Holy See submitted by you as an attachment, I believe, of your letter of April 29, 1999, wouldn't it have been your practice to read communications that were as serious as these, Cardinal Law?

LAW: I would have asked that a memorandum be prepared from the record and I would have trusted the persons responsible for making the memorandum. I cannot state, as I sit here under oath, that I read that memorandum at the time. I would have asked that it be prepared. I would have been -- had confidence that it would have been accurate, but I cannot attest to the fact under oath that I read it.