The Vatican obliquely noted Law’s departure, announcing in a statement that Pope Benedict XVI had named Archbishop Santos Abril y Castello of Spain as the basilica’s new archpriest without mentioning that Law was stepping down.
Law resigned as Boston archbishop in 2002 amid growing criticism over his handling of child sexual abuse cases. Advocates for victims were outraged in 2004 when Pope John Paul II gave Law his highly visible post at the basilica. Nearly 10 years after his resignation in Boston, Law’s name still sparks intense criticism; child advocates were infuriated earlier this month over reports of an 80th birthday party planned for him in Rome.
Some victims of clergy sexual abuse were skeptical that Law’s retirement as archpriest means he is giving up all his influence in the church.
Robert Costello, 50, of Norwood, said Law has been serving in several influential departments of the Vatican.
“He’s just resigning one position in the company; he’s still with the company,’’ said Costello, who was sexually abused in West Roxbury in the 1960s and 70s by the late Rev. John M. Cotter.
Rocco Palmo, who covers church news and politics online, first reported Law’s move. He said Law was leaving his sinecure at a younger age than other recent holders of the seat and that the Vatican may be reacting to critics who have said Law’s appointment was a sign that the church did not “get it’’ when it came to clergy sexual abuse.
“I think they’re sending a signal that it had become a liability,’’ said Palmo, a former US correspondent for the London-based international Catholic weekly The Tablet. “I think it’s an acknowledgment, albeit more belated than a lot of folks would want, that that was not helping in terms of perception.’’
But John L. Allen, a senior correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, cautioned against reading too much into Law’s abrupt retirement, noting Law’s recent birthday.
“A cardinal at 80 technically starts powering down,’’ said Allen, speaking by phone from Rome yesterday.
