In 2002, the prominent trial of Father Geoghan for at least 200 counts
of Catholic Church child abuse of minors brought to light a massive
cover-up that went on for thirty-three years. Aside from the Archbishop
Cardinal Law, this conspiracy also implicated at least six bishops from
the Boston archdiocese, which continued to reassign the predatory priest
to places where he had frequent contact with children.
During the trial, a review of church records revealed that diocese officials and their staff knew very well about Geoghan's sexual abuse of children, but chose to ignore the priest's behavior that put more children in harm's way. After the trial, Cardinal Law's exile to Rome following his forced abdication as Archbishop brought a more satisfying sense of closure to nearly 140 victims who accepted an off-court settlement of over twenty million dollars in 2002.
http://law.todayquestions.com/308602-07009874/?title=Ways+to+Pursue+Criminal+Liability+From+the+Catholic+Church
During the trial, a review of church records revealed that diocese officials and their staff knew very well about Geoghan's sexual abuse of children, but chose to ignore the priest's behavior that put more children in harm's way. After the trial, Cardinal Law's exile to Rome following his forced abdication as Archbishop brought a more satisfying sense of closure to nearly 140 victims who accepted an off-court settlement of over twenty million dollars in 2002.
http://law.todayquestions.com/308602-07009874/?title=Ways+to+Pursue+Criminal+Liability+From+the+Catholic+Church