In December 2002, Law resigned as Archbishop of Boston due to an ongoing sexual abuse scandal in the archdiocese. Lennon served as the apostolic administrator of the archdiocese from Law's resignation until the accession of Law's successor, Archbishop Sean O'Malley, in July 2003.
In December 2002, Cardinal Law resigned as the Archbishop of Boston due to a sexual abuse scandal. Lennon served as the acting head of the archdiocese from Law's resignation until the appointment of Law's successor, Archbishop Sean O'Malley, in July 2003.