article_snippet.sent: He was remembered Thursday as a man of deep faith, intellect and compassion as Catholics said Catholics final goodbyes to the man who led the nation's third-largest archdiocese and was known as a vigorous defender of Roman Catholic orthodoxy.
article_snippet.sent: At the height of the abuse crisis in 2002, He led a group of U.S. bishops who persuaded resistant Vatican officials to more quickly oust guilty priests — a policy at the core of reforms meant to restore trust in church leaders.
article_snippet.sent: I love the way he led the Church even through the controversies,' said Slaughter, 48. '
article_snippet.sent: he helped Catholics come together.'
article_snippet.sent: He earned a reputation as an intellectual leader and a leading figure in some of the most prominent events in the Church .
highlights_snippet.sent: He earned a reputation as an intellectual leader and a leading figure in some of the most prominent events in the U.S. Church .