Law's Letter Does Not Match Shanley Records

BOSTON -- Cardinal Bernard Law wrote to parishioners that he had not heard about allegations of abuse by a priest until 1993, but that appears to contradict other documents released in the case.

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NewsCenter 5's Kelley Tuthill reported that in the letter released Sunday, Law said that he first heard allegations made against the Rev. Paul Shanley in 1993. But included in personnel files obtained by lawyers representing alleged victims of Shanley is a letter to the cardinal from a New York woman in 1985.

"Mrs. Higgs reports that she'd attended a symposium where Paul Shanley spoke," said Eric MacLeish, an attorney representing alleged victims. "[The letter] says Shanley said, 'When adults have sex with children, the children seduce them. Children may later regret having caused someone to go to prison, knowing that they are the guilty ones.'"

Attorney Eric MacLeish, who is representing alleged victims, said that the Rev. John McCormack responded to that letter, writing that Law had received it.

In Sunday's letter, Law said that when he learned in 1993 about Shanley's alleged abuse of a child, "it was immediately acted upon, and the authorization for him to serve as a priest in California was rescinded."

In 1997, Law recommended that Shanley become director of Leo House, a Catholic hostel in New York City. In a letter to Cardinal John O'Connor, Law acknowledged some controversy from Shanley's past, but added, "If you do decide to allow Father Shanley to accept this position, I would not object."

The letter was never sent because O'Connor apparently decided that Shanley was not the right person for the job.

Shanley was arrested earlier in May and now faces charges of molesting a boy over several years beginning when the child was 6.

Although Law said that he knew about allegations of abuse in 1993, he wrote a glowing letter when Shanley retired three years later. Law praised Shanley's "impressive record" and his years of "generous and zealous care," saying, "You are truly appreciated for all that you have done."

MacLeish is continuing to seek more documents about Shanley.