Cardinal Sean O’Malley, a close associate of Pope Francis, has retired as the Archbishop of Boston. Pope Francis has accepted his resignation and appointed Richard Henning, the current bishop of Providence, Rhode Island, as his successor. Henning will now lead one of the most significant Catholic archdioceses in the U.S.
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The Vatican’s announcement did not mention O’Malley’s role as the head of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, suggesting he might continue in that position until a new leader is appointed.
O’Malley was originally brought to Boston by St. John Paul II in 2003 to address the clergy sexual abuse scandal that had come to light following an investigation by The Boston Globe. This scandal led to the resignation of the then-archbishop, Cardinal Bernard Law.
Reflecting on his tenure, O’Malley noted the challenges and pain caused by the sexual abuse crisis but expressed hope for the future. At 80, he is five years past the typical retirement age for bishops. Henning, who is 59, has been serving as the bishop of Providence since last year.
Henning, acknowledging the impact of the abuse scandal, said he understands the pain of victims and emphasized the importance of listening to their experiences. O’Malley described Henning’s arrival as a “time of renewal and hope,” praising him for his ability to bring hope to those in need.
The Archdiocese of Boston serves over 1.8 million Roman Catholics and had significant operating expenses in the past fiscal year. O’Malley is recognized for his support of families facing homelessness, victims of human trafficking, and his leadership in combating climate change.
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Henning expressed surprise at his appointment and emphasized his commitment to listening and learning from the community. Pope Francis has held O’Malley in high regard, selecting him as a founding member of his core group of cardinal advisers. O’Malley has advised the Pope on child protection issues and helped reform the Vatican bureaucracy.
O’Malley has had a complex relationship with Pope Francis. In 2018, he criticized the Pope for dismissing abuse survivors’ claims in Chile, prompting an investigation and eventual apology from the Pope.
More recently, O’Malley’s commission highlighted issues in the Vatican’s handling of a case involving a former Jesuit artist, leading to a re-examination of the case by Francis.
Born in Ohio, O’Malley was ordained in 1970 and came to Massachusetts in 1992 to serve as the bishop of Fall River. He was brought in to address abuse claims, a role that prepared him for his later appointment as Archbishop of Boston during a major crisis.
O’Malley’s handling of the abuse crisis has been met with both praise and criticism. David Clohessy, former director of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests), criticized O’Malley for not taking stronger action against abusive clergy. Mitchell Garabedian, an attorney for abuse victims, also expressed disappointment in O’Malley’s efforts to protect children and help survivors heal.
Despite these criticisms, O’Malley has been praised by others for his genuine concern for abuse survivors. Jennifer Wortham, a research associate at Harvard, lauded O’Malley and Pope Francis for their commitment to addressing abuse and helping victims.
Wortham led a symposium on preventing and healing child sexual abuse, sponsored by O’Malley’s commission, highlighting the church’s evolving response to the crisis.
Henning, in a brief interview, stated his intention to continue O’Malley’s work, focusing on the protection of young people and understanding the needs of survivors in the archdiocese. Parishioner Kevin Mochen credited O’Malley with stabilizing the archdiocese and expects him to continue advocating for abuse victims.
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