I'm no fan of Cardinal Law, nor am I a fan of the custom of giving disgraced bishops meaningless ceremonial roles to help them save face. But, unlike his predecessors, Pope Francis doesn't seem inclined to do that, as demonstrated by the way he dealt with both Archbishop Nienstedt and Bishop Finn, neither of whom have any official position in the Church at the present.

That said, the persistent story that the Vatican is shielding Law from prosecution in the U.S. is completely false. Jurisdictions in Massachusetts can file charges against Law any time they like but have never done so. He is free to come and go in this country as he pleases.