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Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images, file
Cardinal Keith O'Brien, 74, leader of the Scottish Catholic Church, has been reported, February 24, 2013 to the Vatican over claims of inappropriate behavior.
LONDON — Britain's most senior Roman Catholic cleric, a cardinal expected to take part in the conclave to choose the next pope, rejected allegations on Sunday that he had behaved in an "inappropriate" way with other priests.
The Observer newspaper said Cardinal Keith O'Brien, 74, the archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, who is known for outspoken views on homosexuality, had been reported to the Vatican over allegations of inappropriate behavior stretching back 30 years.
"Cardinal O'Brien contests these claims and is taking legal advice," a spokesman for the cardinal said.
Three priests and a former priest, from a Scottish diocese, have complained to the Vatican and demanded O'Brien's immediate resignation, the newspaper said, adding that they wanted the conclave to choose Pope Benedict's successor to be "clean".
The Observer gave little detail on the allegations but said one complainant had said O'Brien made an inappropriate approach after night prayers. Another priest complained of unwanted behavior by O'Brien after a late-night drinking session.
Last week, O'Brien advocated allowing Catholic priests to marry as many found it difficult to cope with celibacy.
His comments last year labeling gay marriage a "grotesque subversion" landed him with a "Bigot of the Year" award from gay rights group Stonewall.
The Catholic Church's handling of the sexual abuse of children and others by priests has dogged the papacy of Benedict, who is due to step down on Thursday after becoming the first pope in centuries to choose to resign.
The next leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics will be chosen by 117 cardinals in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel.
Almost 10,000 people have signed a petition urging a U.S. cardinal not to take part in selecting the next pope, saying to do so would insult victims of sexual abuse by priests committed while he was Archbishop of Los Angeles from 1985 to 2011.
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What?! That's not the catholic clergy I know!
They can find another John Paul, for sure. Best of Luck.
Man, these cardinals sure have a "wide stance"!
You are so fortunate, but don't press your luck !
Don't worry, this story will be collapsed just as the last one just was. As soon as a few non- believer comments are posted, they remove the story, just watch...
Ratzinger Controversies...
RUSH RULES CHANGE MONDAY
Breaking News >>>
I beg your pardon! I do not know of one self respecting Gay Person that would willingly wear any of the outfits that the Vatican could offer - OK, maybe one or two of the hats. Yes, most Gay people will gladly let you kiss their ring but to be asked to kiss someone else ring, FORGET about it.
I can just see it now - FAUX FEAR News Headline:
" SHOCKING SCANDAL - The Benevolent Order of the Holy Sphincters have PUSHED the POOPE (sic) out.”
Maybe the new Pope will be smart enough to understand the church needs radical changes to allow priests to marry and women in the clegy. If not, the gay and child sex issues will continue in the future and membership will continue to decline as the church slides into irrelevance in the developed world. They are well on their way already.
For common sense people, and real believers, catholicism is not the problem. the Bible is the way and truth. the problem is man in the gay community just like anyone else commiting crimes.
No one is true to their believes any more. now people are only true to what they want and to what they fear. fear has won the battle for you to fail as a man. a man whos can not stand to his believes has no thruth as a man.
And you wonder why the younger generation has been fighting with their parents as to whether or not to get married in a Catholic church?
Wow, there's more monkey business going on in the church than previous thought, now that's real creepy
No wonder the Pope's had enough
If Catholics don't like what's going on in their church they should stop giving them money. The church is worth billions of dollars. The Princes of the church live high on the hog only because the money rolls in.
Forced sexual repression never comes to any good. When will the Catholic Church EVER learn ? ? ?
Allowing gays and women in the church is to change the church. To change the church is to change the bible. Don't hold you breath for change. Just don't participate. It will die out by itself. May take a few hundred more years, but it will.
This one went after other adult males? That's a switch. Almost a refreshing change.
Not many people know this, but if Michael Jackson had not tragically died so unexpectedly, he was slotted to have his own Parish....
OMG!! Shocked..totally...NOT another Catholic??? Say it ain't so..........(yawn)
Eventually, when the incriminating documents at the Vatican are made public (where is Assange when you really need him?) that the inner circle of priests who actually run the Vatican are as corrupt as any gang of thieves or politicians, and the entire club should be disbanded and its members jailed. I mean, how many other men do you know who parade around in dresses all the time, claiming to be 'chosen of God' to run a church that has its own sovereign country? It's all a scam, folks. "The uneducated and the misinformed are easily led astray." -- John Mellencamp
Now you've put your finger on the real reason Ratzinger resigned.
The original mafia. I want all religious documents released. Let's see what Jesus really said.
power corrupts, very often...apparently no matter what kind of organization it is. And the papacy is like a dictatorship once the pope is voted in.
Where there's a lot of smoke, there's usually fire. Another one bites the dust. How many priests *haven't* been caught. This problem is far worse than the calamity it already is.
A lot of black smoke is also indicative that the perverts have not chosen a pundit, yet.
pontiff I believe you mean
Another homophobic priest turns out to be gay. There's a shocker.
I've found that often those that make the biggest noise against homosexuality have their own skeleton in the closet (so to speak). They think if they fight against the LGBT community, people will not suspect them of being gay or lesbian. For politicians, this is slowly becoming less of an issue (we're seeing more openly gay and lesbian politicians in office). Same in some of the Protestant denominations with ministers. However, because of its rabit anti-gay stance, the Roman Catholic Church and its Priests, Bishops, Cardinals, Pope, and other members of the clergy all appear as hypocrites when they preach against it but then are having gay sex in their private lives. I think the whole priestly celibacy thing is actually an unnatural act, expecting men and women in the clergy and religious orders to renounce their sexual natures for life. Since that was not always a rule within the RC church, it's time the ban was lifted and the clergy and religious allowed to have a more normal life. It might cure a lot of 'sins' within the church.
Yea they're kinda like the GOP and Evangelicals that way. Larry Craig, Ted Haggard etc etc
"Inappropriate behavior" - a cowardly term that makes it sound like this cardinal used the wrong fork at dinner.
Because this cardinal has been so "outspoken" on gay issues, let us know exactly what this "inappropriate behavior" was all about. (Won't WE be surprised?)
BMette-- right! "Inappropriate behavior" is a euphemism that can cover a wide spectrum of human behavior, from cannibalism to Ponzie schemes. I agree with you; just come out and say what it was. It's not like any of us need protection from any new shockers of 'inappropriate behavior' from the Church.
and it's not the Gay that makes him innapropriate and creepy. It's the repression having to sneak around soliciting sex secretly in a desparate way from people who aren't interested. What a painful existance. The only reason we dont' see this kind of behavior that much in straight people is that they generally dont' have to repress their sexuality.
He should give up the priesthood and go find some nice man to settle down with.
Hope they nail a nother one of the bas---d so he can gone the blessed (NAZI) man of God.
Cardinal sins are for all cardinals regardless of race or age so what does it matter that he is British ?
There's a twist! . . . when they can't find little kids to sexually molest, they turn on each other. What a disgusting mess the catholic church is.
They wear those red beanies so they don't have to do the secret handshake at the babybumper convention.
Is there a more perfect example of hypocrisy than the Catholic Church?
Leroy
What happened to the "new" story we were just posting on?
Yes. It is called "political correctness".
As opposed the the Christians, who think they're the pinnacle of the universe?
Well so far we are unless you count myths like dragons, werewolves, vampires, giants, god or gods
"Yes, the atheists who believe that they are the supreme beings of the universe."
What a foolish statement. Why are you all hung up on "supreme beings"? Atheists don't believe in supreme beings. We deal with reality. We are currently at the top of the food chain on this particular planet. We haven't even met any of the inhabitants of other planets yet, so thinking we are above them would be damn foolish.
Now, you just go back to fearing the yet unknown.
Where do I sign the petition?
Not surprised.
When in Rome, do as the Romans.
Now that's funny.
Dirty old buggers. What more is there to say? Dirty old buggers!
Another Sunday..and another holy slipper falls
Sickening perverts every last one of them. The Catholic Church has the nerve to criticize anyone for not living up to their rapist, sodomite standards?
When all of these Cardinals are sent DIRECTLY to HELL for blaspheme of the Lord they sure will stink the place up for decent criminals and perverts.
The current Pope is beginning to look right at home with his Hitler Youth background and God knows how many Western allies he killed in WWII.
On D-Day the Hitler Youth were at Normandy defending the beaches killing hundreds and hundreds of western allies trying to liberate Europe from Hitler. This Pope was there guaranteed. None of the Hitler Youth were allowed to escape mandatory service or combat.
Has this pope admitted to killing western soldiers, marines or airmen? He doesn't have to, it's a given and he knows it.
This is what the Catholic church gives us in the 21st century, remnants of the Second World War and anti-Semitic leadership. They'll burn in hell along with every catholic church member for idolizing false prophets!
I'm no defender of the Catholic Church, but if it's "guaranteed" please provide proof!
Check your history books. Check youtube subject 'D-Day Hitler Youth'.
StoptheKilling...You are not going to find ANYONE who hates Pope Benedict more than I do, but in all fairness, his history shows that he was forced to join Hitler Juden along with every other German teenaged boy, and he claims (don't know if I believe him) he never attended meetings, etc. If Hitler Juden were there on D-Day (I'd have to research that claim as I have a hard time believing they would send children out to fight professional soldiers) it is likely young Ratzinger was not there. Now, for all the things this guy has done as an adult, sure, string him up, but don't make wild claims. He has done plenty of recorded evils in his life to hate him for.
Homophobic clergy are the most dangerous to children and to young adults. They need to have them tried in a civil court and the guilty ones go to jail where they can practice their vices without guilt. The Catholic church is a corrupt organization and needs to be cleaned out. Send in the nuns to do the job.
Just one problem with sending the Nuns in. Many old Nunneries that have been tore down, reveal infant bones in the furnace and smoke stacks.
The nuns aren't much better, as little Indian boys found out at the St. Ignatius church in St. Ignatius, Montana in the 1950s. Sad, sad, sad. Not to mention sick.
It's time to condemn these buildings and those who haunt their halls so that the people who grew up being tortured in them can stop being haunted.
Montana Athetist is correct. As a native of Montana, I was in high school and college (U of M) when the St Ignatious outrage came to light. I also had childhood friends whose parents and grandparents were abuse victims of Indian schools. The physical and verbal abuse was mentioned, it's only recently that the sexual abuse is being discussed.
Now as a long time resident of Massachusetts, I watched with disgust over the past ten years as the enormity of RCC child abuse has come to light. Included in this psychological genecide, it the fact that Boston Archdiocese (abetted by the Worcester Diocese) took in child abusing priests from Ireland and assigned them around MA. When these moral amobea screwed up, they were shipped out West many of them sent to Indian schools.
That you weren't whacked around or worse, is dumb luck.
Malinda I like your passion and you are write except please dont misuse the word genocide. When we misuse those words it dilutes their value
There is no genocide of Catholic boys. They are not targetted for anhilation as a group...individuals are plucked out but no one is seeking to wipe them off the planet.
Honestly - is there anyone left on earth who is still surprised by these things. At least it was with other adults and not children. For the love of God will these people wake up and start letting priests have normal, healthy sexual relationships like the rest of the world? It's sick and perverted to expect healthy men to go their entire lives without sex, so no one should be surprised when it produces crappy behavior. There's an old saying that sex is like air - you don't think about how important it is until you aren't getting any.
Pedophilia isn't relieved by adult sexual relationships. These priests gravitate to the church to achieve the authority of a priest and therefore power over the children. It's a common pathology of pedophiles to take positions of authority over children.
Gaille was speaking of normal, healthy sexual relationships BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS, whether opposite sex or same sex. Whether gay or straight, Pedophilia is wrong and illegal.
exactly
commenter was talking about THIS story which is NOT about pedophilia. The priests who got come on to (or worse) were adults.
and this delightful collection of god's most holy men will most infallibly choose peters successor and god's representative on earth, a holy calling, amen.
quite a challenge for this motley crew i think. there's something ironic about the choice for the announcemnt of a new pope: blowing smoke.
Even if they purge the conclave to the highest practical level of "purity", it will be, and should be, generations before sane parents trust these guys with their children. Their best case scenario demands years of demonstrated safety toward children, and yet they stubbornly resist a vigorous path toward that goal.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The best case scenario is for people to quit trusting Shaman of any ilk to be truthful about anything at all. People who are willing to pull the wool over your eyes about the existence of supernatural beings in the quest to dupe you out of your life savings are capable of any atrocity. When will this become obvious to everyone?
Here's a list of 228 accused clerics, nuns and staff - [updated]
---
--- Added: --- Bro. Stephen Baker, TOR, --- Fr. Martin A. Brady, TOR (Franciscan friar);
Here's a list of 228 accused clerics, nuns and staff - [updated]
--- tp://mnsnap.wordpress.com/spooks-fakers-false-spiritual-healers/
--- Added: --- Bro. Stephen Baker, TOR, --- Fr. Martin A. Brady, TOR (Franciscan friar);
I'm glad you finally got the link in this post. I saw your comment on the last sick priest story and wondered if you were aware that the link wasn't included. You're still missing the beginning (www.ht)
Isn't life time celibacy in conflict with " Go forth and multiply" ? AND not to mention the conflict of Pedophilia and doing other priests. Just one big bunch of PHONY HYPOCRITES doing the people out of their money by using the FEAR TACTICS of so called Religion.
Little did the Catholic faithful realize, all these years, that the "Cardinal Sins" they heard about were really those heinous acts being committed by...their own Cardinals. And maybe the lessons they taught about God forgiving those sins was really all about the errant priests trying to convince themselves that they had a prayer of not going to Hell.
The Liberal world with their Rosy colored glasses where is you support for Jessica's Law against child molesters. 5 Liberal states will not pass it New York, Vermont, Colorado, Illinois and Hawaii. Protecting your Liberal buddies?
What are you talking about? I think you're posting on the wrong story. Catholic priests, bishops, cardinals and popes are NOT liberals. In case you haven't noticed.
Mont Liberals are more worried about grown priests fornicating then children being molested, Priorities?
I am tired of this nonsense every jerk can accuse the Catholic Church of some indiscretion and if there are records being held at the Castle Sant Angelo you'll be waiting as long as Galileo waited to be exonerated like several hundred years. This crap is reminiscent of the McMartin School case were every money opportunist came out of the wood work making accusation of being molested but most were lies and reputations were damaged forever. I wonder how many are false.
Not enough, I'm afraid.
It is actually four other priests who have made the allegations against Cardinal O'Brien. The accusations came from those within the circle of church leaders.
Still, one can't help but wonder if the timing of these accusations is connected with the conclave. First, there's a movement to prevent the cardinal from LA from attending, and now demands that the English cardinal also not attend. Both of these men would be considered "Vatican outsiders." Is this part of the political game of electing a new pope?
George.....you Catholic pedophile apologist.........and how many molested children are out there who have not, as yet, stepped foreward and publicly identified their Catholic molester(s)?
Rabid homophobes: as soon as they start spewing their nonsense, you can just about set your watch to the time it takes for it to be revealed they sleep around with homeless meth-boys who were probably raped by priests as children.