The Catholic community in Boston welcomed a new leader, as the Most Reverend Richard Henning was installed as the new Archbishop during a special mass today at noon. The ceremony, which marked a significant transition for the Archdiocese of Boston, took place at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in the city's South End. Henning was greeted and embraced by his predecessor, Cardinal Sean O'Malley, at the commencement of the proceedings, as reported by The Boston Globe.
Addressing the Archdiocese, Henning committed himself to his new role by stating, "My job is I belong to them. I belong to the people of the Archdiocese," in a statement obtained by NBC Boston. "I'm yours and you are mine. I want to love you, know you and serve you." The formal installation included the traditional knocking on the cathedral's doors and showcasing of the papal bull, which confirms the Pope's appointment of Henning to the position.
Henning takes over an Archdiocese in contrast to the beleaguered state it was in over two decades ago when O'Malley stepped in amidst a crippling clergy sexual-abuse crisis. Finances now in the black, combined with the stabilization of school enrollments and increased ordinations, point toward a recovered diocese, according to The Boston Globe.
However, the archbishop's installation was not without controversy, as protesters from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) made their presence felt. 71-year-old Claude LeBeouf, who told The Boston Globe that he was a victim of abuse by a priest, accused Henning of complicity in concealing sexual abuse. Dr. Robert Hoatson, co-founder of Road to Recovery and himself a former priest and survivor, expressed skepticism of Henning's ability to enact meaningful change for survivors of abuse.
In a pre-taped interview, Henning addressed these concerns and reiterated his commitment to protecting children from abuse. Meanwhile, Boston attorney Mitchell Garabedian, known for representing survivors, expressed concerns about the Church's leadership and the possibility that the crisis could be overlooked, as per The Boston Globe.
