Cardinal O'Brien's Resignation Pressures Scandal-Hit Church Leaders to Step down from Papal Conclave
Daily Record
THE resignation of Britain's most senior Catholic has been felt world-wide in the run up to the selection of the next Pope. CARDINAL Keith O’Brien’s decision not to take part in the conclave to elect the next pope has heaped pressure on other scandal-hit cardinals to follow his lead. Several senior Catholic figures from around the world are planning to travel to Rome despite the fact they’ve been embroiled in damning claims of abuse cover-ups. Father Tony Flannery, of the Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland, believes many of them will now be feeling the heat. He said: “Cardinal O’Brien has taken the decision on his own not to attend the conclave and that’s significant. Papal election front runners bid for top Catholic job “There are a number of cardinals who have been named in cases where abuse has allegedly been concealed, and many believe they shouldn’t be involved in proceedings in Rome either. “Of course, one difference is that Cardinal O’Brien has been accused of inappropriate behaviour himself, rather than covering up the acts of others.” Cardinal Rodger Mahony THE former archbishop of Los Angeles allegedly protected 120 priests from child sex claims. He was stripped of duties in his archdiocese last month because of the cover-up claims – but his role as cardinal wasn’t affected. Andrea León-Grossman, an LA member of Catholics United, said: “If he’s truly sorry for what has happened, he would show some humility and opt to stay home.” Cardinal Justin Rigali THE archbishop of Philadelphia was forced to retire in 2011 after the Catholic Church were accused of covering up child sex abuse by priests. Grand juries in 2005 and 2011 said the Church protected the perverts and left some in contact with kids. They said at least 37 priests were kept in jobs that exposed them to children, despite “substantial evidence of abuse”. Cardinal Sean Brady THE leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland has been accused of covering up abuse. In 2010, he apologised for his role in mishandling the case of pervert Father Brendan Smyth. Brady was present when child victims were made to take a vow of silence about Smyth. Abuse victim Christine Buckley said the cardinal shouldn’t vote in the conclave. Cardinal Godfried Danneels THE offices of the Belgian cardinal were searched in 2010 amid a crackdown on paedophile priests by police. In the same year, it emerged he had tried to stop a victim of sex abuse from going public. The victim taped a meeting during which Danneels asked him to keep quiet until the bishop who abused him was due to retire the next year.
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