BOSTON -- The Archdiocese of Boston has remained silent about Cardinal Bernard Law's trip to Rome, but a vocal Catholic lay group plans to vote Wednesday night on whether Law should step down.

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Cardinal Remains in Rome, Resigns From Catholic U. Board

NewsCenter 5's Gail Huff reported that a letter sent to Law by more than 50 priests calling for his resignation has made headlines around the world.

One of Law's close colleagues, a bishop visiting from Detroit, said if he were in Law's shoes there would be no question what he would do.

"I think if I were in that position I would certainly say I must resign. Any bishop would know that if the people have lost confidence in [his] leadership I can't lead," said Bishop Thomas Gumbleton.

News of the priests' letter to Law was noted in Rome.

"When a bishop's own priests are not just whispering against him, but openly signing a document calling for his resignation, that is viewed with extreme seriousness here," said John Allen of the National Catholic Register.

The letter was hand-delivered Monday night by the Rev. Robert Nee, who said that rumors that Law had offered to resign during a previous visit to see the pope were not true.

"The cardinal has said directly to his priests at least that he did not in any way submit his resignation to anybody, nor does he have a letter of resignation prepared in the drawer," said Nee.

Since Law left last week to go to Rome he has taken only one public action. Late Tuesday, Law resigned as chairman of the board of trustees at the Catholic University of America. He said in October that he would not seek a fifth term on the board, but was supposed to serve on it until next June.