Pope Appoints Cardinal O'Brien's Successor

Herald Scotland
February 27, 2013

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/pope-appoints-cardinal-obriens-successor.1361974934

Cardinal Keith O'Brien resigned in the wake of allegations of inappropriate behaviour

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that the Archbishop of Glasgow Philip Tartaglia will take over the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh following the resignation of Cardinal Keith O’Brien.

Archbishop Tartaglia will act as Apostolic Administrator and govern the archdiocese until a new Archbishop is appointed.

He said: “These are painful and distressing times for the Archdiocese, I also feel pained and distressed. With the grace of God, I will do my very best to oversee and govern the Archdiocese until the appointment of a new Archbishop. I ask for your prayers.”

Cardinal O'Brien has denied the allegations and is taking legal advice.

Archbishop Tartaglia said: "These are painful and distressing times for the archdiocese. I also feel pained and distressed.

"With the grace of God, I will do my very best to oversee and govern the archdiocese until the appointment of a new archbishop. I ask for your prayers."

With Cardinal O'Brien's resignation from the post, the Archdiocese is known as a "vacant see" and remains so until the appointment of a new archbishop.

The apostolic administrator governs with the authority, obligations and rights of a diocesan bishop until then.

Cardinal O'Brien is now Archbishop Emeritus of St Andrews and Edinburgh and has no role in the governance of the diocese.

A statement from the Scottish Catholic Media Office said: "The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has appointed the Most Rev Philip Tartaglia, Archbishop of Glasgow, as apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

"With immediate effect, Archbishop Tartaglia will govern the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh until a new Archbishop is appointed."

Cardinal O'Brien, who was Britain's most senior Catholic cleric, said he will not travel to Rome for the conclave to elect the next pope to avoid becoming a focus of media attention.

His decision has left Britain's Roman Catholics with no vote in the conclave.

He stepped down from his post a day after The Observer newspaper reported that three priests and a former priest had complained about him to the Vatican over alleged "inappropriate" behaviour stretching back 30 years.

A spokesman for the media office said the allegations are "anonymous and non-specific" and that the 74-year-old former cardinal is contesting them and taking legal advice.

He tendered his resignation to the Vatican in November, citing age and "indifferent health".

He was expected to step down next month when he turns 75, but his resignation has now taken effect.

Cardinal O'Brien, who had been Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh since 1985, was created cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2003.

He became prominent for his colourful and strongly voiced defence of conservative Catholic teaching. His opposition to gay marriage earned him "Bigot of the Year" award last year from gay rights group Stonewall.