Former Church Moderator to Lead Probe into Catholic Church's Safeguarding Procedures after Priest Sex Abuse Allegations

The Daily Record
November 25, 2013

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/former-church-moderator-lead-probe-2848920

Andrew McLellan

THE Very Reverend Dr Andrew McLellan will investigate the Catholic Church's safeguarding procedures following string of priest sex abuse allegations.

A FORMER moderator of the Church of Scotland is to head an inquiry into how the Catholic Church in Scotland handles sex abuse allegations.

The Very Reverend Dr Andrew McLellan’s overhaul of the Church’s safeguarding procedures follows scandals relating to inappropriate sexual conduct of priests.

Earlier this year, the Catholic Church was rocked by revelations of alleged abuse at Fort Augustus Abbey School in the Highlands.

Former pupils claim they were molested and beaten by monks who taught them decades ago.

Police are investigating and it has emerged at least 20 other cases of abuse are being probed in Scotland.

McLellan, a former chief inspector of prisons for Scotland, is being presented as a neutral figure amid claims the Catholic Church has institutionally swept abuse claims under the carpet for years.

He has claimed the audit will be rigorous, and said his first responsibility was to the young people abused.

The catalogue of abuse emerged as Cardinal Keith O’Brien, formerly Scotland’s most senior Catholic, resigned in February after accusations of inappropriate sexual behaviour by priests and former trainee priests.

Yesterday, Archbishop Leo Cushley, the new Archbishop of St Andrews, revealed Cardinal Keith O’Brien will face no further disciplinary action from the Vatican.

But critics of the church’s handling of the affair condemned the decision to close the case.

Patricia McKeever, editor of Catholic Truth newsletter, said: “What punishment has he had? We have been warning the church for years about Cardinal O’Brien but we were regarded as extremists.

“We will be asking if Archbishop Cushley will be investigating the full extent of homosexuality among clergy in light of the O’Brien scandal. It would be shocking if he failed to do so.”

O’Brien is understood to be living in a monastery in England where he is undergoing “spiritual renewal, prayer and penitence”.

Cushley, formerly a senior member of the Vatican diplomatic service, also revealed he did not expect the shamed cardinal to return to Scotland.