Bishop Lennon Tries to Heal Boston Archdiocese
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In Boston today, Cardinal Bernard Law's temporary replacement is trying to heal a fractured flock. Bishop Richard Lennon says the bitter crisis facing the Catholic Church presents a unique opportunity for reconciliation. CNN's Bill Delaney says Lennon's message is simple but welcomed.</s>BILL DELANEY, CNN BOSTON BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): Catholic mass like anywhere in the United States. Though, perhaps, more than anywhere this Sunday.</s>BISHOP RICHARD LENNON, BOSTON ARCHDIOCESE: Father you are holy indeed, and all creation rightly gives you praise.</s>DELANEY: Bishop and now apostolic administrator Richard Lennon in Boston's Holy Cross Cathedral, needed to heal.</s>LENNON: These events have evoked frustration and anger. For some, a loss of trust in the hierarchy, and a profound sense of sadness. And over those past 11 months, we have heard many people and many groups come forward with ideas for how to go forward in addressing the issues. We need to hear what is being said. I pledge to do all that I can to be a shepherd for this great archdiocese. May God love each and all of you.</s>DELANEY: A simple sermon from the heart, welcomed from the heart. Boston Catholics, hungry for a way forward, inside the cathedral. Others outside it, still furious about the fast. Among protesters, Cardinal Law's departure only a step.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is far from over. He's gone, but that's just the beginning. There's other bishops that worked under him.</s>DELANEY: After mass, though, Bishop Lennon did something Cardinal Law never did. He went outside the cathedral. He met protesters.</s>LENNON: I'm sad and I'm very upset.</s>DELANEY: A small gesture, a big shift from avoiding alleged victims of sexual abuse to embracing them.</s>DELANEY: As important as spiritual renewal and a renewal of trust here in the archdiocese of Boston, the very earthbound matter of money also looms. Important news in the "Boston Globe" today which quotes sources that the firm, the law firm that advises the archdiocese on money matters has now concluded a report which concludes that there is a fund of $90 million in insurance money that the archdiocese could use to settle the many claims by alleged victims of sexual abuse against it. Now, that number has been in dispute for some time, Fredricka. If that's true, many in Boston now looking for a possibly quick settlement of these claims. And there are some 450 of them here in the Archdiocese of Boston. That would be a big relief to many here, as this archdiocese now begins a phase of trying to get back on its feet, both spiritually and financially.</s>WHITFIELD: And it sounds like that would certainly expedite the process if that were the case. Bill, thank you very much.