5th Archdiocese Cleric Indicted on Sex Charges

The Archdiocese of Boston was battered anew when a fifth cleric was indicted on sex abuse charges while its leader, Cardinal Bernard Law, underwent more questioning in a damaging child sex

scandal.

Franciscan Brother Fidelis DeBerardinis, who served in an East Boston church, was charged with rape of a child, attempted rape and indecent assault of four altar boys from 1968 to 1973.

He and four priests are accused of sexually abusing children.

Lawyers questioned Law for a fourth day seeking information to use in trials related to alleged child rape by Father Paul Shanley.