Pope banishes sex shame cardinal Keith O’Brien
SHAMED Cardinal Keith O’Brien was yesterday removed from all public life and forced into retirement.
Pope Francis ruled that he can no longer perform any public, religious or civil duties associated with the title.
Cardinal O’Brien, 77, stood down as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh two years ago after admitting sexual relationships dating back decades.
Three serving priests and a former seminarian accused him of inappropriate advances and behaviour in the 1980s.
After initial denials, O’Brien later admitted that his sexual conduct had “fallen beneath the standards” expected of him as a bishop.
Last April, the Vatican sent Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta to investigate.
His report was sent to Pope Francis last week.
Yesterday the Roman Catholic Church confirmed O’Brien had formally resigned after a meeting with the pontiff.
It said the cardinal had been “reduced to a strictly private life with no further participation in any public, religious or civil events”.
He is no longer able to take part in the election of a pope or in the general governance of the church.
Cardinal O’Brien has also been ordered to continue to live outside Scotland.
I then said that there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me. For that I am deeply sorry
In a statement, he again apologised for his failings in the past.
He added: “I then said that there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me. For that I am deeply sorry.
“I thank Pope Francis for his fatherly care of me and of those I have offended in any way.
“I will continue to play no part in the public life of the church in Scotland and will dedicate the rest of my life in retirement, praying for those I have offended in any way.”
Having served as archbishop since 1985, Cardinal O’Brien resigned abruptly only days before Pope Benedict XVI abdicated in February 2013.
After stepping down, the Northern Ireland-born cleric was ordered by the Vatican to undertake a period of “prayer and penance”.
Archbishop Leo Cushley, who took over the archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, said: “I am confident that the decision of the Holy Father is fair, equitable and proportionate.
“Cardinal O’Brien’s behaviour distressed many, demoralised faithful Catholics and made the Church less credible to those who are not Catholic.
I therefore acknowledge and welcome his apology to those affected by his behaviour and also to the people of Scotland, especially the Catholic community.
“For my own part, I would like to express sorrow and regret to those most distressed by the actions of my predecessor.
“I also pay tribute to those who had the courage to come forward to speak to Archbishop Scicluna.
“I hope now that all of us affected by this sad and regrettable episode will embrace a spirit of forgiveness, the only spirit that can heal any bitterness and hurt that still remains.”
