In the sandals, brown robe, and rope belt that symbolize the Franciscan commitment to poverty, O'Malley apologized for the pain caused by pedophile priests and the cover-ups by some Church officials.
Bishop SEAN P. O'MALLEY: I have said it many times, as much as I can represent the Church as a bishop, that I do ask for forgiveness for these horrendous crimes or sins that have been committed -- the whole Church feels ashamed and pained -- and do ask for their forgiveness again and again.
ABERNETHY: O'Malley succeeds Cardinal Bernard Law, who resigned last December because of the scandal. Twice before -- in Fall River, Massachusetts and Palm Beach, Florida -- O'Malley has been the Bishop sent in to oversee healing after sex abuse scandals.Bishop O'MALLEY: I have always told dioceses and lawyers in the past that settlements are not hush money or extortion or anything other than the rightful indemnification of persons that have suffered gravely at the hands of a priest. Even when I have been told that there is no legal obligation, I have always said, if there is a moral obligation, we must step up to the plate. People's lives are more important than money.
ABERNETHY: In Boston, Bishop O'Malley's words and attitude have been generally well received, but with awareness, too, of the massive job he faces. More on that from Michael Paulson, religion writer for THE BOSTON GLOBE.Michael, what are Catholics in Boston saying about Bishop O'Malley?
MICHAEL PAULSON (Religion Writer, THE BOSTON GLOBE): I would say the Catholics in Boston are hopeful but not particularly patient. His initial news conference on Tuesday went over very well. He directly addressed the reason he is here -- the sex abuse crisis. He apologized, he pledged to move quickly. But people are eager to see change and hoping that he will act as well as speak as soon as he gets here.
Mr. PAULSON: The Archdiocese of Boston is, as the Archbishop-elect acknowledged, in a very difficult situation right now. The first and biggest problem is that it faces legal claims from more than 500 people who say they were harmed by sexually abusive priests. Bishop O'Malley needs to try and settle those cases and he said he would make that a priority. But he also needs to right the financial ship of the Archdiocese -- the Archdiocese is in huge financial trouble. It's been laying people off, closing schools, and is threatening to close parishes. And then he needs to set about attempting to restore confidence among priests and lay people.
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