Plummer Professor of Christian Morals Peter J. Gomes published an op-ed in last Friday’s Boston Globe, written prior to the announcement of Law’s resignation, praising the embattled archbishop and calling for forgiveness.

“Not summoned in his defense has been the fact that he has ordained many good men to the priesthood,” Gomes wrote, “that he has been a fearless advocate for the poor and the homeless, that he has lent the prestige of his office, often denied by his predecessors, to significant efforts.”

Loker Professor of English Robert J. Kiely ’60 said that although he agreed with Gomes that the Catholic community should not hold a grudge against Law, he disagreed with Gomes’ view that the press had focused too much blame on the archbishop.

“It was high time for Law to resign,” said Kiely, who signed the letter urging the archbishop to step down. “There is no way this issue can be spoken of as though Law was done in by the Church or the press—I think the papers have done great reporting.”

In his op-ed, Gomes said that Law had devoted much of his life to opposing abortion and capital punishment, and that he had worked to help Boston’s homeless and bridge racial tensions in the city.

“The tragedy of a scandal like this, and such a damaging cover-up, is that it tends to obscure all the good things Law has done in his life,” said Orfield, who attended Sunday Mass yesterday and said that most people were tremendously pleased with the resignation.

Gomes could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Changes in the Church

Harvard Catholics trace the scandal back to the Catholic Church’s power structure—and say the crisis could pave the way for a more transparent administration.

“The Cardinal is not going to have the same authority anymore,” Orfield said.

As the Church redefines the roles of its top officials, Harvard Catholics have begun to speculate on the prospects of one of their own—the former HDS head Hehir, who was cited in the Globe as a possible successor.

But Hehir’s Boston ties and intellectual background might be strikes against him, they said, as the Church attempts to rebuild after the scandal.

“My suspicion is that they will not appoint anyone who had worked in the Boston area in the past 20 years,” said Kiely.

Robert Orsi, Warren professor of the history of religion in America and a specialist in Catholicism, said Hehir’s scholarly work might also hurt his bid.

“Simply his intellectual pedigree might be an issue,” Orsi said of Hehir, who has distinguished himself as a theologian. “He’s such a prodigious intellect.”