The following day another article appeared in the Globe about Governor Frank Keating of Oklahoma. He has been chosen by Catholic bishops to head a national review board that will investigate morals charges against Roman Catholic priests and the cover up that seems to have taken place within the hierarchy of the church.

Keating is quoted as saying that the board will be "utterly intolerant of the existence of predators in the priesthood."

Keating, a conservative practicing Catholic, has a non-Catholic son-in-law whom Keating wants to persuade to join the Catholic Church. But, he asks, "Even if I wanted to proselytize my son-in-law, how could I do it now? How could I talk about virtue, when there is this evil, black soil?"

In a lengthy interview with the Globe, Keating made it clear that he is disgusted by the conduct of the leaders of his own church. "Cardinal Law and others," he said, "should do a great deal of soul searching and praying, because what occurred on their watch is the antithesis of morals and values and ethics, and how that could happen on the watch of a clergyman is beyond comprehension."

He criticized the emotion and warm retirement letter to (John) Geoghan and the letter to (Paul) Shanley complimenting him on his pastoral care. "(This) amazes me. I’ve never seen anything like it."

Keating declined to take a position regarding Cardinal Law’s future, saying he isn’t quite clear on what Law did or didn’t do. However, he said, "I would find it hard to imagine a bishop who has participated actively in the corruption of the young by moving with malice and knowledge an evil predator from child to child could retain his office."

While not specifying Cardinal Law’s involvement with John Geoghan and Paul Shanley, Keating said, "Whoever did that (relocate these priests who were known paedophiles), is a serious problem enabler."

Regarding priestly celibacy, Keating said he will welcome any decision the pope makes. "What we in the Catholic lay community are asking for is, if you have celibacy, have celibacy. That means no girlfriends and no boyfriends."

(Ed – While Keating is confusing celibacy with chastity, this has become the norm throughout this crisis. Celibacy simply means not getting married; chastity means sexual purity in whatever state you are).

Keating was hurt by an editorial in The Pilot, the newspaper of the Archdiocese, that accused him of encouraging Catholics to commit mortal sin by skipping Mass. Keating said he did not encourage Catholics to skip Mass, but simply to find a Catholic church where they feel more comfortable.

Keating said he has no concerns about visiting Boston, notwithstanding his criticism of Law and the attack on him by The Pilot, which Law publishes. While in Boston he planned to meet privately with victims of clergy sexual abuse and possibly with some members of Voice of the Faithful. (see VOTF.)

He has no plans to meet with Law or other members of the hierarchy.

"I’m on the side of the white hats," Keating said, "so I’m happy I’m coming to Boston."