BOSTON -- Cardinal Bernard Law resigned as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Boston Friday, after months of criticism for a sexual abuse scandal that rocked the church.

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Law Resigns In Rome Clark Booth Looks At Archbishop's Career Alleged Abuse Victims React To Resignation Alleged Victims Find Forgiveness Hard

Pope John Paul II accepted Law's resignation after the two met at the Vatican Friday morning. Bishop Richard Lennon will run the diocese temporarily.

"I am profoundly grateful to the Holy Father for having accepted my resignation as Archbishop of Boston," Law said in a statement. "It is my fervent prayer that this action may help the Archdiocese of Boston to experience the healing, reconciliation and unity which are so desperately needed. To all those who have suffered from my shortcomings and mistakes, I both apologize and from them beg forgiveness."

With his resignation, Law became the highest-ranking church official to be brought down in the scandal. Law offered his resignation to the pope in April, but it was rejected.

The resignation came shortly after the release of thousands of documents detailing new allegations against priests, including that one was present when a woman who gave birth to the priest's children died following a drug overdose.

The crisis began after Law admitted that he reassigned former priest John Geoghan from parish to parish even though Geoghan had been accused of child abuse. Other documents have suggested a pattern of covering up abuse allegations by moving accused priests and not reporting the allegations to authorities.

At least 325 of America's 46,000 priests have been removed from duty or resigned this year because of molestation claims.

Archdiocese spokeswoman Donna Morrissey said that Law is doing well.

"I spoke to Cardinal Law before the announcement was made, and he is doing well," Morrissey said. "The cardinal is profoundly grateful to the Holy Father. His request was motivated by a desire to do what is best for the archdiocese."

Morrissey said that the archdiocese will continue to provide support services to alleged victims of abuse at the hands of priests. Morrisey said that Law is expected to return to Boston over the weekend. He has been subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury investigating abuse claims Tuesday.

"The resignation of Cardinal Law is just one more moment of sadness over the great timeline of sadness and grief that has touched the Archdiocese of Boston," Boston Archdiocese spokesman the Rev. Christopher Coyne said. "There is nothing good that can come out of an evil action of abuse to children."

Alleged victims said that they believed Law did the right thing in resigning, hoping that resolution would come to cases they have filed against the church.

Christopher Fulchino, celebrating his 26th birthday Friday, filed the first case to name Law as a defendant. Fulchino alleges that he was abused by Geoghan. He urged other victims to come forward at an emotional press conference Friday.

"I'm really proud of this day," Fulchino said. "Find the strength to come out and be strong and don't be afraid. Just don't be afraid, because it just gets better. You'll find strength in people around you."

Fulchino's father, Tom, also alleges that he was abused by a priest as a boy.

Paula and Rodney Ford, parents of an alleged victim, said that they were also grateful Law decided to step down. They and their son have been some of the most vocal critics of Law and sat in on depositions Law gave related to their lawsuit against the church for its handling of the Rev. Paul Shanley.

"The first time that [Law] came into the room, if had just come over to us, taken our hand and apologized, maybe we would have taken a different attitude toward him, but he didn't," Rodney Ford said. "We didn't force Cardinal Law out, he forced himself out by making bad decisions. In some cases by not making any decision."

When Lennon takes over the archdiocese, he will have to guide the church through difficult times, as it faces lawsuits from more than 400 alleged victims. Law has taken steps to allow the church to file for bankruptcy, which could protect it from large financial judgments.

"I've dealt with over 200 victims and there is a certain emptiness in them. They don't feel anything. So you ask them if they can forgive, well, they don't feel anything," Garabedian said. "There is just a certain emptiness."

Within one month, Garabedian said that he is planning to file 60 new cases involving at least 30 priests -- some of them names we have not heard before.

Law's decision to step down could have other implications in dioceses across the country that are also facing allegations of covering up abuse. Rodney Ford urged victims and activists to focus pressure on the Catholic Church to address the problem.

"I would say to all the protesters who have been out there in the rain and the snow to erase the name of Cardinal Law," Ford said. "But put the names of other bishops on the boards again."

New Hampshire Bishop John McCormack has also been criticized for actions he allegedly took while working for Law. The Manchester Diocese agreed this week to disclose all information about abusive priests to the New Hampshire attorney general to limit criminal liability in abuse cases.

Alleged victim Gary Bergeron said that he would put pressure on McCormack to resign.

"Bishop McCormack, we're coming after you, and I'll see you Monday morning," Bergeron said.

In recent years, sex abuse scandals have engulfed dioceses across the United States and around the world. Boston has been at the center of the recent scandal because of the release of hundreds of documents earlier in the year following a motion filed by The Boston Globe.

Even before those documents were released, stories had been written in the Boston media alleging that Geoghan had been moved from parish to parish in an attempt to cover up abuse. Law denied such charges at the time.

Lennon pledged Friday to "work towards healing as a church and furthering the mission of Jesus Christ within our community." Alleged victims and their families said that they hope the church concentrates on helping the victims of abuse.

"Some people have referred to me and my wife and my son as heroes," Rodney Ford said. "My son is the hero ... and all the other victims. That's why we're here today. The focus has to remain on the victims."