Catholicism's Critics Will 'Rejoice' at Cardinal O'Brien's Resignation

The Telegraph
February 25, 2013

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9892501/Catholicisms-critics-will-rejoice-at-Cardinal-OBriens-resignation.html

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Telegraph's Damian Thompson says "the rejoicing of the enemies of traditional Catholicism will be deafening" at the news that Cardinal Keith O'Brien has resigned in the wake of misconduct allegations.

Cardinal O'Brien has stepped down as archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh in the wake of misconduct allegations.

He also said in a statement issued on Monday that he will not attend the papal conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI.

The cardinal said he would not attend because he did not want media attention focused on him during the important session in Rome.

The Vatican accepted his resignation under the code of canon law for reasons of Cardinal O'Brien's age.

He turns 75 – the normal retirement age for bishops – on March 17.

Cardinal O'Brien said in a statement that he is in "indifferent health" and that he had offered his resignation last November.

He also said through his spokesman that he is contesting allegations made on Sunday in a British newspaper that three priests and a former priest have filed complaints to the Vatican alleging that the cardinal acted inappropriately with them.

The Observer newspaper did not give the names of the priests, but said their allegations date back to the 1980s.

There were no details about the alleged inappropriate behaviour.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien had said it was down to Cardinal Mahony's "own conscience" as to whether or not he takes part in the upcoming papal conclave, following allegations he protected priests accused of child sex abuse.