Shamed Cardinal Keith O'brien Resigns over "Inappropriate Behaviour"

By Alastair Brian
STV
March 20, 2015

http://news.stv.tv/east-central/314547-cardinal-keith-obrien-resigns-from-duties-vatican-announces/

Disgraced cardinal Keith O'Brien has stepped down from his duties following a meeting with Pope Francis, the church has announced.

The cardinal's resignation comes after allegations of "inappropriate behaviour" were revealed in 2013.

The Catholic Church in Scotland welcomed the decision and confirmed he had removed himself from the key duties of cardinal including the election of the Pope.

Cardinal O’Brien will also be reduced to a strictly private life with no further participation in any public, religious or civil events.

Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh said: "Cardinal O’Brien’s behaviour distressed many, demoralised faithful Catholics and made the Church less credible to those who are not Catholic. I therefore acknowledge and welcome his apology to those affected by his behaviour and also to the people of Scotland, especially the Catholic community."

The cardinal had previously stepped down as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh in February 2013 after three priests and a former priest made allegations of inappropriate behaviour against him.

In a statement, Cardinal O'Brien said: "I wish to repeat the apology which I made to the Catholic Church and the people of Scotland some two years ago now on 3rd March 2013. I then said that there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me. For that I am deeply sorry.

"I thank Pope Francis for his fatherly care of me and of those I have offended in any way.

"I will continue to play no part in the public life of the Church in Scotland; and will dedicate the rest of my life in retirement, praying especially for the Archdiocese of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, for Scotland, and for those I have offended in any way."