SCOTLAND
Herald Scotland
Gerry Braiden
Senior reporter
Saturday 13 July 2013
THE Vatican has refused to rule out the attendance of shamed Cardinal Keith O’Brien at a historic meeting of the world’s leading Catholic clerics in Rome.
The Consistory, in October, will see cardinals from across the world gather in Rome to discuss the proposed canonisation of former Popes John Paul II and John XXIII, as well as advising Pope Francis on major papal appointments. It is expected to see the creation of around 10 cardinals.
Authorities on Catholic affairs said there was a potential for Cardinal O’Brien to attend. But the prospect of him attending such a high-profile event, just months after admitting decades of sexual behaviour with other clerics and being exiled by the Vatican, would be met with shock by Scotland’s Catholics, according to one prominent members of the laiety.
When asked if the Cardinal would be attending the Consistory, the Vatican said yesterday it was in no position to confirm details of the meeting.
It is understood there has been no communication instructing him not to attend and according to one commentator a period of several months of “penitence” out of the public eye could see him sufficiently redeemed in the eyes of the church to take part.
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