Pope accepts resignation of Cardinal Law

OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE HOLY SEE 13 DECEMBER 2002

"The Holy Father has accepted the resignation of pastoral government of the Archdiocese of Boston (U.S.A.), presented by the Most Eminent Cardinal Bernard Francis Law, in conformity with Canon 401 Section 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

"John Paul II has nominated as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Boston His Excellency Richard Gerard Lennon, Titular Bishop of Sufes and Auxiliary of the same Archdiocese."

STATEMENT OF BERNARD CARDINAL LAW

"I am profoundly grateful to the Holy Father for having accepted my resignation as Archbishop of Boston.

"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.

"To the bishops, priests, deacons, religious and laity, with whom I have been privileged to work in our efforts to fulfill the Church's mission, I express my deep gratitude. My gratitude extends as well to so many others with whom I have been associated in serving the common good; these include those from the ecumenical, Jewish, and wider interreligious communities as well as public officials and others in the civil society.

"The particular circumstances of this time suggest a quiet departure. Please keep me in your prayers.

"Bernard Cardinal Law"

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

The Church celebrates Mary's freedom from original sin.

1. The Immaculate Conception. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is usually observed on December 8. But this year, much of the world (including the United States) is observing the feast today (December 9) because yesterday was the Second Sunday of Advent. It is not a holy day of obligation this year, but extra Masses are widely available today and you are encouraged to join the celebration. The feast commemorates the fact that the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first moment of her conception, was preserved free from all stain of original sin. For a further explanation of this doctrine, see the Catholic Encyclopedia article here....

2. Ineffabilis Deus.In 1854, Blessed Pius IX issued this document to declare solemnly the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. He spoke infallibly, saying: "We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful." See the entire document here....

3. New Advent's Big 30.
If you haven't visited our website lately, come see us again. We recently redesigned the entire site, and have added many new features in the past couple of weeks. One of the most popular is the "New Advent Big 30" -- a list of the top 30 Catholic websites in the world, in order of popularity. Click here to see the list....