Britain's Top Catholic Cleric Accused of "Inappropriate Acts" against Four Priests Just Days before He Helps Choose the New Pope

By Olivia Williams
Daily Mail
February 23, 2013

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2283536/Britains-Catholic-cleric-accused-inappropriate-acts-FOUR-priests-just-days-helps-choose-new-Pope.html

Complaint to the Vatican: Cardinal Keith O'Brien is facing claims dating back over 30 years

Britain's most senior Catholic clergyman, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, has been reported to the Vatican for alleged inappropriate behaviour, it emerged last night.

Three priests and one former priest have sent statements to the papal nuncio, Antonio Mennini, alleging impropriety dating back to 1980.

As head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, next week O'Brien will be part of the conclave choosing the next Pope, but now he faces demands for his immediate resignation.

As reported by The Observer, one of the priests alleges that he has needed counselling after an inappropriate relationship with O'Brien.

A second complainant said that he was 18-years-old when O'Brien made an inappropriate approach after night prayers.

A third said he was invited to 'get to know' O'Brien at the archbishop's residence only to face 'unwanted behaviour' from O'Brien after late-night drinking.

The four are all from the diocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

A spokesman for the cardinal said that he contests the allegations.

The four are worried that their complaints may not be fully addressed if O'Brien casts his vote in the election of a new pope.

One said: 'The church is beautiful, but it has a dark side and that has to do with accountability. If the system is to be improved, maybe it needs to be dismantled a bit.'

Another, an ex-priest who is now married, was ordained after the alleged incident, but said in his statement that he resigned when O'Brien was promoted to bishop.

'It was assumed I left the priesthood to get married,' he said. 'I did not. I left to preserve my integrity.'

It was reported that Cardinal O'Brien missed Sunday Mass at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh this morning, where he was due to celebrate eight years of Pope Benedict holding office.

The BBC News website said Bishop Stephen Robson told the congregation there: 'A number of allegations of inappropriate behaviour have been made against the cardinal.

'The cardinal has sought legal advice and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time. There will be further statements in due course.

'As always in times of need such as this we cannot not be saddened by the events of the last 24 hours.'

No one from the Scottish Catholic Media Office was immediately available to comment.

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Performing mass in Edinburgh: Cardinal Keith O' Brien in his role as Britain's most senior Catholic

The former archbishop of Westminster said Cardinal O'Brien should be allowed to help choose the next Pope despite facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor also expressed sadness at the claims on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.

He said: 'I was obviously very sad to hear that.

'The cardinal has denied the allegations, so I think we will just have to see how that pans out.

'There have been other cases which have been a great scandal to the church over these past years.

'I think the church has to face up - has faced up - to some of them very well indeed.'

Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said it was up to Cardinal O'Brien - who is reported to have sought legal advice - 'how he faces the allegations'.

He pointed out that Cardinal O'Brien was due to retire when he turns 75 next month.

Asked whether the cardinal should still be able to go to the Vatican to take part in the selection of Pope Benedict's successor, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said: 'That is up to Cardinal O'Brien to decide... it will be up to him, and I think rightly so.

'The allegations have not been proved in any way, so he will have to decide whether he wants to go.'

He has said he has not yet decided who should be elected as Pope during the conclave, which is expected to be held next month.

Cardinal O'Brien, originally from Northern Ireland, has been Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh since 1985.

In November, he was named 'bigot of the year' by Stonewall, a gay rights charity, for his comments about same-sex marriage.

In August Cardinal O'Brien described it as a ‘grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right’.

Last week he said the Church should overturn centuries of tradition and allow priests to marry as many clerics struggle with celibacy and a wife and family could offer comfort and support.

Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican today. Cardinal O'Brien is eligible to vote for his successor

A youngster holds a banner during Pope Benedict XVI's last Angelus Prayer . It reads: 'You are not alone, I am with you'

He said: ‘I would be very happy if others had the opportunity of considering whether or not they could or should get married.

'I realise that many priests have found it very difficult to cope with celibacy... and felt the need of a companion, of a woman, to whom they could get married and raise a family.’

The cardinal also appeared to support the Catholic taboo of not allowing women priests, saying that the teachings of Jesus do not mention the issue.

Last week Cardinal O’Brien insisted that it was not for him to judge whether Cardinal Roger Mahoney of Los Angeles, who is accused of covering up child sex allegations, should take part in the Conclave to elect Benedict XVI’s successor.

Abuse claims have dogged the papacy of Benedict XVI, who is to step down at the end of February.