January 2003 January 1 Priest pleads guilty to raping altar boy Flood of suits on abuse seen in California Suit charges coverup by Jehovah's Witness group January 4 Spiritual Life: Examining how and when to forgive January 9 Bishop McCormack tells of shielding priests Excerpts from Bishop McCormack's testimony January 10 Accused priests were often on Law's calendar 15 settle against Jesuits for $5.8m Diocese of Worcester details abuse payments Voice of the Faithful presses Lennon to meet January 13 Bishop Lennon charms parishioners with visit January 14 Lennon pledges to resolve accused clergy cases Former vicar of Boston concedes he erred on Shanley Abuse case lawyers dispute charges against clergymen Alleged Geoghan victim is denied parole hearing January 15 Archdiocese knew of lawsuit when it rejected claim Law details view of complaint on Geoghan Eileen McNamara: Fault is not Law's alone January 17 Church lawyers to question victims' therapists Accused priest discussed leaving order, files show January 18 National lay panel sets wide review of church Files include graphic description of boy's alleged rape Church lawyer argues for dismissal of hundreds of suits Former Boston priest suspended in Calif. over charge January 22 Abuse specialists challenge church defense tactic Judge rebukes Law's lawyer for bid to delay deposition Church attaches wrong name to sexual abuse charge January 23 Claim of sexual abuse by monsignor OK'd for trial Bishops' watchdog to meet with Boston church leaders January 25 Bishops blocked bankruptcy filing in Boston Bishops' appointee supports depositions of therapists Springfield couple charged with extorting priest Victims' lawyer found to have lied in sworn affidavit January 26 Spotlight: Bishop sided with priests in abuse cases Priest lauded by church for 1985 report on sex abuse Eileen McNamara: A matter of choice January 27 Protesters aim to force N.H. bishop to step down January 28 Church's steps on Shanley are detailed January 29 Law's attorney blasts judge for remarks Church to disclose records of clergy accused by adults N.H. bishop offers apology to dozens of alleged victims Archdiocese to close several more schools this year January 30 Lennon calls church's financial situation grave 16 priests named for first time in sexual abuse lawsuits Students mourn closing of all-girls Catholic high school January 31 Documents reveal McCormack's role in abuse case Priest details longtime affair with Needham woman

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