O'Malley Appointed Cardinal

Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley is among 15 new cardinals named today by Pope Benedict XVI.

O'Malley now becomes the fifth cardinal to lead the Boston archdiocese, having replaced Cardinal Bernard Law in 2003.

Law left amid criticism over his handling of clergy sexual abuse in the church.

O'Malley was praised by church leaders for quickly regaining parishioner's confidence and settling abuse victim lawsuits.

However, he has faced criticism for deciding to close 80 parishes in order to cut costs and there has been talk O'Malley was thinking of leaving the Boston archdiocese.

Click the listen link to hear Thomas Groom's conversation with Delores Handy about O'Malley's new position and what it means.

Thomas Groom is the director of the Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry at Boston College.