Cardinal O’Brien ...

By Rod Mills
Express
February 24, 2014

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/461458/Cardinal-O-Brien-faces-Vatican-trial-over-sex-claims?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-express-uk-news+(Daily+Express+%3A%3A+UK+Feed)

Keith O'Brien is facing allegations of being a sexual predator [PA]

The new investigation under canon law could lead to the former Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh losing his Biretta, the red hat that is the symbol of a cardinal.

Three priests in his former diocese have asked Leo Cushley, the new archbishop, to pass on their written complaints to officials in Rome.

The allegations characterise O’Brien as a “sexual predator” who used his authority to compel them into “coercive” and “abusive” sexual relationships.

The priests, whose accusations led to the cardinal’s enforced retirement and disgrace last February, appear determined to force Pope Francis to make a final judgment.

It is now understood that O’Brien’s sexual relationships continued until at least 2009, six years after he was made a cardinal.

Last year, Francis ordered O’Brien to remain in a Catholic religious house in England for three months of “prayer and penance”. He has since been free to come and go as he pleases, but has chosen to remain there.

The three priests, as well as a fourth former priest of the diocese, had initially dealt with the Papal Nuncio, the Vatican’s ambassador in London.

However, the ­diocesan priests have now entrusted Archbishop Cushley, a former Vatican diplomat, to convey to Rome the treatment they received at the hands of the cardinal.

The documents detailing their allegations have been sent by Archbishop Cushley to the Congregation of Bishops, from where they are expected to be passed to the Secretariat of State.

Under canon law, only the Pope can pass judgment on or “sentence” a cardinal. Both sides may be viewed by the Vatican as guilty of the “canonical crime” of breaking a commandment – thou shalt not commit adultery, a catch-all for sexual sins.

It will be the responsibility of the promoter, who acts like a procurator fiscal in Scots law, to determine if O’Brien was guilty of behaviour that would warrant further punishment.

Under canon law, O’Brien will be able to defend himself and insist, as he has done in private to friends, that these relationships were “consensual” not “coercive”.

Last night, a spokesman for Archbishop Cushley said: “Any decision on further action will be a matter for the Holy See.”

Cardinal O’Brien is living the austere life of a monk in a quiet retreat.

Although he retains the title of cardinal, senior church sources have disclosed that the churchman has given up his gold mitre and other trappings of office, and is now living in Cumbria.

Last May, O’Brien returned to Scotland with a view to retiring to a house belonging to the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh in the East Lothian town of Dunbar.

However, he was then ordered by Pope Francis to move to the religious house in England.

The 75-year-old had been preparing to help choose the next Pope before he admitted his sexual conduct had “fallen below the standards expected” of a priest, archbishop and cardinal.

Since the cardinal’s period of penance has elapsed he has made several trips to Scotland to visit friends. Yesterday, a friend of O’Brien, who did not wish to be named, reportedly said: “He is living in limbo at the moment. He is reasonably fit and well but he’s not happy.

“He’s been told by the Vatican and the papal nuncio to stay away from public events.

“I know he would like to come back to Scotland and I don’t see why that couldn’t happen.

“You can’t write him out of history although I’m sure the Church would like to.”