Normally, the Pope would seek someone with strong administrative skills to fill the post, Orfield said.

If the Church looks beyond Hehir’s academic accomplishments, though, according to Orsi, “He’s right in line. He’s right there.”

Orfield also noted that Hehir demonstrated administrative skill when he helped HDS cope with an embarrassing scandal three years ago.

In May 1999, Ronald F. Thiemann, dean of HDS at the time, had been forced to step down from his position because he stored pornography on an office computer. After Thiemann stepped down, Hehir served as interim head of HDS.

“He came in and stabilized the school,” Orfield said.

Looking Ahead

Some say that further changes—beyond the resignation—are needed to heal the Boston community and restore trust in the Catholic Church.

“There are structural changes that are needed, but will not be completely taken care of by the resignation of one person,” Kiely said.

Professor of Romance Languages and Literature Lino Pertile agreed, saying that Law’s resignation does not alter the gravity of the crisis for the Catholic Church in Boston—and beyond.

“This whole crisis can only be resolved by time and the restructuring of the Church’s administration,” said Pertile, who had called for Law to step down.

But such reorganization will take time, Kiely said.

“The Church is even slower than Harvard in making big administrative changes,” he added.

—Staff writer Alexander J. Blenkinsopp can be reached at blenkins@fas.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Lauren A. E. Schuker can be reached at schuker@fas.harvard.edu.