Here's an in-depth look at the life of Cardinal Bernard Francis Law.

Personal: Birth date: November 4, 1931

Birth place: Torreon, Mexico

Birth name: Bernard Francis Law

Father: Bernard Law, an Air Force colonel

Mother: Helen Law

Education: Harvard University, B.A. 1953

Timeline: 1953 - Does postgraduate studies at St. Joseph's Seminary in Louisiana and at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.

May 21, 1961 - Ordained as a priest in the Natchez-Jackson, Mississippi diocese.

1968 - Serves as executive director of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Ecumenical and Interracial Affairs in Washington, DC.

1971 - Law is named vicar general of the Natchez-Jackson diocese.

December 5, 1973 - Is made bishop of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese in southern Missouri.

1974-1985 - Trustee at Pontifical College Josephinum in Ohio.

1975 - Is made chair of the Bishops Committee on Ecumenical and Interracial Affairs.

1976 - Is named to the Vatican Commission on Religious Relations with Jews.

January 11, 1984 - Pope John Paul II appoints Law to be the archbishop of the Boston Archdiocese, which has two million Roman Catholics.

1984 - Law receives a letter from a bishop, expressing concerns about Rev. John Geoghan.

May 25, 1985 - Pope John Paul II elevates Law to cardinal.

1990 - Makes an official visit to Cuba and meets with Fidel Castro.

1996 - Demonstrates in front of the White House to urge President Clinton to sign a bill outlawing late-term abortions.

July 17, 2001 - The church sexual abuse scandal widens when Cardinal Law admits receiving a letter in 1984 outlining allegations of child molestation against the former priest John Geoghan. Law had assigned Geoghan to another parish despite the allegations.

January 09, 2002 - In a press conference, Cardinal Law apologizes to victims of abuse by Geoghan. Geoghan is later convicted of indecent assault and battery on a 10-year old boy.

April 2002 - Attempts to resigns his position as Archbishop of Boston; the Pope rejects the resignation.

April 17, 2002 - A judge presiding over the case of Rev. Paul Shanley orders Cardinal Law to be deposed by lawyers of one of Shanley's victims.

May 09, 2002 - Cardinal Law testifies about his supervision of accused priest Geoghan. Law states that he had relied on his assistants to investigate charges of abuse.