SCOTLAND
STV
By Alastair Brian
20 March 2015
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.”
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