Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Sean O’Malley as archbishop of Boston and named the current bishop of Providence, Rhode Island, Richard Henning, to replace him as leader of one of the most important Catholic archdioceses in the Un…
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis on Monday accepted the resignation of Cardinal Sean O’Malley as archbishop of Boston and named the current bishop of Providence, Rhode Island, Richard Henning, to replace him as leader of one of the most important Catholic archdioceses in the United States.
The announcement from the Vatican didn’t mention O’Malley’s other main role as Francis’ main adviser on fighting clergy sexual abuse as head of the pope’s Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, suggesting he would remain in that capacity until a new commission leader is named.
St. John Paul II had tapped O’Malley to take over in Boston in 2003 at the height of the clergy sexual abuse scandal that had exploded there following an investigation by the Boston Globe newspaper. Revelations of years of abuse and coverups by the church led to the downfall of then-archbishop Cardinal Bernard Law, who resigned in disgrace in December 2002.
At age 80, O’Malley is five years beyond the normal retirement age for bishops. His 59-year-old successor, Henning, from Rockville Centre, Long Island, has been bishop of Providence since last year.
Francis has long expressed his esteem for O’Malley and selected him as a founding member of his core cardinal advisers, known as the C9.
In that role O’Malley, a Franciscan friar, advised Francis not only on child protection issues, but also helped design the reform of the Vatican bureaucracy.
O’Malley’s relations with Francis haven’t always been easy. In 2018, he issued a blistering statement rebuking Francis after the pope dismissed claims of abuse by Chilean survivors of the country’s most notorious abuser.
O’Malley’s harsh tone was something of a wakeup call for Francis, who eventually apologized after commissioning an investigation into the Chilean scandal.
More recently, O’Malley’s commission flagged “serious problems” in the way the Vatican had handled the case of an ex-Jesuit artist, the Rev. Marko Rupnik, prompting Francis to order the case reopened.
Cardinal Sean O’Malley, a prominent figure in the Catholic Church and a close ally of Pope Francis, has announced his retirement as the archbishop of Boston. The news comes as a surprise to many, as O’Malley has been a key figure in the Church for decades and has played a significant role in shaping its direction.
O’Malley, who is 77 years old, has served as the archbishop of Boston since 2003. During his tenure, he has worked tirelessly to address the clergy sexual abuse scandal that rocked the Church in the early 2000s. O’Malley was instrumental in implementing reforms to protect children and hold abusers accountable, earning him praise from both within and outside the Church.
In addition to his work on clergy sexual abuse, O’Malley has been a vocal advocate for social justice issues, including immigration reform and care for the poor and marginalized. He has also been a strong supporter of Pope Francis’ efforts to reform the Vatican and make the Church more inclusive and compassionate.
O’Malley’s retirement comes at a time of transition for the Catholic Church, as Pope Francis continues to push for reforms and address long-standing issues within the institution. Many see O’Malley’s departure as a loss for the Church, as he has been a trusted advisor to the Pope and a respected leader in his own right.
As O’Malley prepares to step down as archbishop of Boston, there is speculation about who will succeed him in this important role. The appointment of a new archbishop will be closely watched by both Catholics and non-Catholics alike, as it will have implications for the future direction of the Church in Boston and beyond.
In announcing his retirement, Cardinal O’Malley expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as archbishop of Boston and thanked the people of the diocese for their support and prayers. He also expressed confidence in the future of the Church, saying that he believes it is in good hands under the leadership of Pope Francis.
Overall, Cardinal Sean O’Malley’s retirement marks the end of an era for the Catholic Church in Boston. His legacy of compassion, integrity, and commitment to justice will be remembered for years to come, and his influence on the Church will continue to be felt long after he has stepped down from his role as archbishop.
