Cardinal Keith O'Brien: I Am Sorry for My Failures That LED to My Resignation

Daily Record
February 26, 2013

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/cardinal-keith-obrien-says-sorry-1731520

Cardinal Keith O'Brien

THE Pope told Cardinal Keith O'Brien he could leave the church immediately yesterday amid allegations of inappropriate conduct towards three priests dating back 30 years.

CARDINAL Keith O’Brien shocked the world yesterday after apologising for his failures as he resigned as head of the Scottish Catholic Church.

The stunning admission came after allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards three priests and one ex-priest in the 1980s.

He said: “For any failures, I apologise to all whom I have offended.” O’Brien’s decision sent shockwaves through the Catholic community as they prepare for the appointment of a new pope after Benedict XVI resigned earlier this month.

The cardinal, Britain’s most senior Catholic, had been planning to stand down when he turned 75 next month.

As recently as Friday, he talked about taking part in the conclave to appoint the next Pope.

But after the priests’ allegations became known, he was told by the pope that he could leave

immediately.

Yesterday, he confirmed Pope Benedict “had now decided that my resignation will take effect today”.

The cardinal, who is contesting the claims made against him and is taking legal advice, will no longer travel to Rome to take part in the election for a successor, leaving Britain unrepresented.

He added: “I thank Pope Benedict XVI for his kindness and courtesy to me. I also ask God’s blessing on my brother cardinals who will soon gather in Rome to elect his successor.

“I will not join them for this conclave in person. I do not wish media attention in Rome to be focused on me – but rather on Pope Benedict XVI and on his successor.

“However, I will pray with them and for them that, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, they will make

the correct choice for the future good of the Church.”

O’Brien has been an outspoken opponent of plans to legalise same-sex marriage and on Friday called for the Catholic Church to end their celibacy rule for the priesthood.

He said that many priests struggled to cope with celibacy and should be allowed to marry if they wished.

Despite the worldwide scandal, he was last night said to be “doing fine” by a senior clergyman.

Leaving O’Brien’s residence in Morningside, Edinburgh, Monsignor Thomas Chambers said: “I have seen him today and he’s doing fine.”

Priests who accused Cardinal Keith O'Brien urged to step out into the open

The resignation and allegations against the cardinal have shocked Scotland and divided opinion.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: “It would be a great pity if a lifetime of positive work was lost from comment in the circumstances of his resignation.

“None of us know the outcome of the investigation into the claims made against him but I have found him to be a good man for his Church and country.”

Liz Leydon, editor of the Scottish Catholic Observer, said: “Cardinal O’Brien has led a life of dedicated service to the Church.

“Any allegations against him should, and will, be fully investigated if they show grounds, but the timing of them casts an unfortunate shadow over the legacy of a respected, brave and forthright leader who will be missed.”

The Scottish Catholic Media Office claimed Pope Benedict accepted the cardinal’s resignation on February 18, but the announcement of it has only just been made.

But it is understood O’Brien has said he had already tendered his resignation as archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, due to take effect when he turned 75 next month, but that Benedict “had now decided that my resignation will take effect today”.

John Haldane, a Vatican adviser and professor of philosophy at the University of St Andrews, said: “The resignation within a month of the date on which his formal resignation would normally have taken effect is both shocking and sad.

“Given the nature of the accusations, however, it is unsurprising that he has taken the decision to resign.

“The Scottish Catholic Church have a good reputation in Rome for clear and confident leadership, and the Pope particularly relished the Scottish part of his visit to the UK, and appreciated the work done by Cardinal O’Brien and his fellow bishops.”

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said: “I have met Cardinal O’Brien several times and I always found him to be a thoughtful, generous and sincere man. His resignation will

be felt with sadness to those around him.”

While many voices supported the cardinal, some were clearly glad to see him go.

Tom French, policy coordinator for the Equality Network, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and

transgender equality charity, said; “It would be inappropriate for us to comment on the allegations made against Cardinal O’Brien.

“Of course we hope that the Catholic Church in Scotland will use the opportunity new leadership brings to reassess their opposition to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.

“The Catholic Church do a huge amount of good work on issues like poverty and it’s a shame that this important work is so often overshadowed by their position on issues of sexuality.”

Colin MacFarlane, director of gay rights group Stonewall Scotland, who last year named the cardinal Bigot of the Year, said: “We trust there will be a full investigation into the serious

allegations made against Cardinal Keith O’Brien.

“We hope that his successor will show a little more Christian charity towards openly gay people than the cardinal did himself.”

O’Brien, who was born in Ballycastle, County Antrim, has been the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh since 1985.

He was ordained as a priest in 1965 and proclaimed a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in October 2003.

Congregation members at St Mary’s in Edinburgh continued to voice their support for O’Brien yesterday.

Mary Dickson, 60, was among some 30 parishioners who turned up for afternoon mass.

She insisted the cardinal’s resignation had nothing to do with the allegations, which she branded “utter lies”.

The retired admin clerk said: “It’s a shock to hear that he’s resigned. The cardinal is a good, honest man. I don’t believe a word of these so-called allegations – it’s all lies.”

Noel Cuneen, 72, said it was a sad day for the Catholic Church.

He added: “It is incredibly sad that it has come to this.

“However, I believe the cardinal should remain innocent until proven guilty.

“This matter needs to be fully investigated and, until that investigation is complete, nobody should judge him.”

Scottish composer and prominent Catholic James MacMillan said: “It is a crisis for the Church, there is no doubt about that.

“But the church have always been in crisis and I hope they will come through the crisis again this time.

“I think there is a need for reform. People need to be honest with themselves and with everyone else as well.”

The Pope is to appoint an apostolic administrator to govern the archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh until a new archbishop is appointed.

O’Brien missed celebrating Sunday mass in St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, which marked Pope Benedict’s eight years in office, ahead of the pontiff stepping down this week.