Pope names Cardinal Law to post in Rome

VATICAN CITY — Pope John Paul II has named Cardinal Bernard Law, the controversial former archbishop of Boston, to the ceremonial post of archpriest of the Rome Basilica of St. Mary Major, the Vatican said May 27.

Law, 72, has been resident chaplain at the convent of the Sisters of Mercy of Alma in Clinton, Md., since the pope accepted his resignation as head of the 2.1-million-member Boston archdiocese on Dec. 13, 2002, amid criticism of the cardinal for failing to discipline priests accused of pedophilia.

St. Mary Major is one of four major basilicas in Rome under direct Vatican jurisdiction. Law, who will succeed Italian Cardinal Carlo Furno, 82, as archpriest, will be in charge of administration, including ceremonies and finances.

Although St. Mary Major is one of Rome’s most important basilicas, the post of archpriest carries status rather than power. Law will continue to play a role in the Vatican, however, as a member of nine congregations and two councils.