The spokesmen noted that attendance at the Masses, held on each of nine days in the mourning period called Novemdiales, is not required and only a small number of the 115 cardinals who will elect the pope participate. More cardinals attended Tuesday evening's Mass because it was followed by a visit to John Paul's tomb underneath St. Peter's Basilica.

Law stepped down from his post in Boston in December 2002 after unsealed court records revealed he moved predator priests among church assignments without notifying parishioners.

Two American victims traveled Monday to the Vatican to protest that Law was given such a high-profile role mourning the pope. The Mass was not disrupted.

Eleven members of the College of Cardinals are Americans, but only seven have worked with Law leading archdioceses in the United States. The three others - none of whom attended Monday's Mass - have been based in the Vatican.

Baltimore Cardinal William Keeler, who did not attend Monday, planned to participate in only one of the nine services, said his spokesman Sean Caine. Philadelphia Cardinal Justin Rigali was the only American cardinal with Law on Monday.

Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick had other plans Monday and could not attend, said his spokeswoman Susan Gibbs. He has other meetings and events leading up to the conclave and did not plan to attend any more Masses after Tuesday night, she said.

"Each Mass is a two-hour Mass, and this week many of them have meetings and dinners as well," Gibbs said.

New York Cardinal Edward Egan had other plans Monday, too, but also had not attended Sunday's Mass, his spokesman Joe Zwilling said, saying there was no hidden meaning. Egan, speaking at a news conference last week, declined to comment on Law.

Aides to Chicago Cardinal Francis George and Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony, who did not attend Monday, did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesman for Detroit Cardinal Adam Maida, who was also absent, could not be reached.

Revelations that Law had protected priests accused of molesting children sparked a national crisis in the American church that has dragged on for more than three years. Soon after Law's resignation, John Paul appointed him archpriest of Rome's St. Mary Major Basilica, a ceremonial but highly visible position.

Church leaders said Law likely was chosen to lead the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica because he heads such an important church, not as a personal honor.

© 05 Associated Press.

Editor's note: