Maltese Bishop Arrives in Scotland to Launch Cardinal O’brien Investigation
By Dean Herbert
Maltese Bishop Charles Scicluna is probing sexual misconduct claims surrounding O’Brien. O’Brien, 76, stepped down as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh last year after three priests and a former priest made allegations of inappropriate behaviour against him. He admitted at the time that his conduct had “fallen beneath the standards” expected of him. Bishop Scicluna has been credited with reforming the Vatican’s attitude to sexual abuse over the past decade. It is understood he began interviewing priests and other Roman Catholic figures last week as he compiles a report on O’Brien. I encourage any of you who have something of significance to say about misconduct of individuals to get in touch with Bishop Scicluna Archbishop Leo Cushley Sources said that Bishop Scicluna’s investigation had seen “lots of people” questioned. They also revealed a conclave of clerics from every diocese in Scotland was called earlier this week, to discuss the ongoing damage to the Church. Earlier this month O’Brien’s successor, Archbishop Leo Cushley, 52, wrote to priests urging them to co-operate. He said: “I encourage any of you who have something of significance to say about misconduct of individuals to get in touch with Bishop Scicluna.” O’Brien was alleged to have made an “inappropriate approach” towards a 20-year-old seminarian at St Andrew’s College in Drygrange, Roxburghshire, in 1980. The man has since left the priesthood and is married. He is also accused by three other priests of abusing his position and making “inappropriate contact” with them. The Vatican ordered him to leave Scotland for several months of “prayer and penance” following the allegations.
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