News In Brief

O'Connor installed head of N.Y. Roman Catholics

Archbishop John O'Connor Monday became the head of the New York Roman Catholic archdiocese, one of the most prominent and influential clerical posts in the United States.

Archbishop O'Connor, a theological conservative with a reputation as a fine administrator and disciplinarian, emphasized during a sermon before 3,500 people at a Mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral strict fidelity to the rulings of the man who appointed him, Pope John Paul II, and church teachings against abortion.

Bishop Bernard Law of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Mo., is scheduled to be installed Friday as Boston's archbishop. Boston is the third-largest archdiocese in the US. New York is the nation's fourth largest.