BOSTON -- Cardinal Bernard Law and Bishop John McCormack answered questions under oath Wednesday from lawyers representing alleged victims of abuse by priests.
NewsCenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported that Law and McCormack were in the same law firm but in different rooms, being deposed in cases alleging abuse by different priests. Law was questioned regarding retired priest Paul Shanley, while McCormack answered questions about the late Rev. Joseph Birmingham.
Before being named to head the Manchester Diocese in New Hampshire, McCormack was a top aide to Law, and alleged victims claim that McCormack had a hand in reassigning abusive priests.
Some of the alleged victims who sat in on the McCormack deposition said that they want the bishop to meet with them and their families.
"He has to take and hear the pain of the people ... and I personally feel that after he hears what he hears there, and he does hold himself accountable and hopefully has some atonement in his heart, that he will, in fact, step down," alleged victim Bernie McDaid said.
Alleged victims said that they were disappointed with the answers McCormack gave.
"Bishop McCormack seems to be passing the buck," alleged victim Larry Sweeney said. "Any time there's an area for responsibility, it's not his. It's somebody else's."
While some alleged victims praised Law's decision to step down from his post as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Boston, others called on McCormack to also resign.
"I'm one of the few who actually felt sorry for Bernie Law," alleged victim David Lyko said. "As far as McCormack goes, I don't care if he rots in hell."
In a statement, McCormack said that he is trying to resolve the cases against the church.
"It is my hope that having the opportunity to answer the questions surround Joseph Birmingham will help move these suits closer to resolution," the statement read. "I cannot heal victims myself, but I am confident that I can help them."
There was no statement made by Law or the Boston Archdiocese.
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