McCormack Responds to Law's Resignation

HYMN Oh Come oh come Emmanuel...

Judging from his remarks at Mass, Bishop John McCormack has no intention of following Bernard Cardinal Law's lead.
MCCORMACK :15 so I want to help mend the wounds with in the Church of Boston. The most effective contribution that I have to offer to the people of the Archdiocese today is to serve and lead the Church in NH well.

Last week Manchester's Catholic Diocese settled with New Hampshire's Attorney General to end a criminal investigation into the Church's failures to protect children from predator priests.
On Friday, several bishops who had advised Cardinal Law, were subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury in Massachusetts. Bishop McCormack was among them.
Sunday, McCormack told those gathered at St. Joseph's Cathedral that his hard work has been overlooked because of mistakes that haunt him to this day.
But he says he's still qualified to lead New Hampshire Catholics.
MCCORMACK :21 Today I'm here to celebrate the Eucharist with you and take this opportunity to set the record straight.
I did good work too. I helped a lot of people. I served well. But I realize that many of these stories will never be learned.

McCormack once again apologized to the victims of clergy sexual abuse, to their families, and to Boston Catholics.
The congregation gave the bishop's opening remarks a long standing ovation.
APPLAUSE 84

After the Mass, parishioners shook hands with the Bishop as they filed out. A group of students from Magdalen College came to show support for their Bishop. Eric Coules,is a junior from Michigan.
COULES :09 as our father and as our bishop, the pope has placed him here for a reason and as he said, he's here by divine right of God.

But many New Hampshire Catholics are still angry at McCormack's role in covering up the abuse. And yesterday, not everyone at Saint Joseph's was applauding.
Jane Frank came to church with her son Matt, but they are of very different minds when it comes to the scandal in the Church.
JANE :24 I think judge not lest you be judged.
MATT I believe he should step down myself. Did you stand up? No, I didn't. So you disagree on this?
JANE Mmm-hmm. Apparently.
MATT Well, I'm not here to judge him either. But if the allegations are true, he should step down as bishop. And from listening to him talk, it sounded to me like they are true.
The Bishop called upon the congregation to rejoice and prepare for the coming of Christ. But he left many Catholics families a lot to think about at Christmastime.
For NHPR News, I'm RMD.