Picketers Turn to Silence in Bid to Oust Cardinal

In place of protesters’ angry shouts, parishioners at Boston’s Cathedral of the Holy Cross were confronted with dozens of pictures of young children allegedly abused by priests.

About 65 picketers lined up in silence, backs to the cathedral, to launch a new, more peaceful phase of their campaign meant to drive Cardinal Bernard Law from his post. It was the largest protest at the cathedral, the seat of the Archdiocese of Boston, in months.

The silent observance was intended to address concerns that the weekly demonstrations had become too confrontational.

Picketers have become a weekly sight outside of the cathedral since January, when published reports revealed the archdiocese had transferred priests accused of child abuse from parish to parish.