Following the typical protocol, Francis presided over a final prayer, a blessing with incense and the sprinkling of holy water around Law's coffin.

For those who were sexually abused by priests, the news of Cardinal Bernard Law’s death evoked an avalanche of emotions.

Buried beneath the shock and anger is a searing question: How could this happen?

Cardinal O’Malley said the late cardinal “served at a time when the Church failed seriously in its responsibilities to provide pastoral care for her people.”

As a younger man Law was hailed for his courageous positions on desegregation and civil rights, but his legacy is marred by the sexual abuse crisis.

Part of the church's role can't help but stem from lessons learned in the abuse crisis.