By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests is protesting the choice of Cardinal Bernard Law to lead a special Mass at the Vatican.
Law, the former Archbishop of Boston, resigned after it came to light he was aware some priests in his Archdiocese had been accused of sex abuse.
SNAP Executive Director David Clohessy says having Law conduct the Mass in Pope John Paul II's honor is hurtful to victims.
"There are literally hundreds of thousands of American Catholics who want to and deserve to reflect upon the life of the Pope, and mourn his death, and do so without this horrific distraction," Clohessy said.
Cardinal Law is expected to lead the Mass in Rome Monday.
Clohessy says the Vatican would send a strong message if the cardinal was asked to step aside.