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Subscribe to RSSThe leader of the Scottish Catholic Church, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, has resigned amid allegations of inappropriate behavior, involving four priests in the 1980s. The Cardinal used his resignation to apologize to those he'd offended. ITV's Lewis Vaughan Jones report.
LONDON — Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic cleric has resigned amid allegations of inappropriate behavior made by priests.
The Vatican said Monday that Pope Benedict XVI had formally accepted the resignation of Cardinal Keith O’Brien, archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh. The Observer newspaper reported Sunday that the Vatican had been notified of allegations of inappropriate behavior stretching back 30 years.
Three priests in Scotland, as well as a former priest, have lodged complaints to the Vatican's ambassador to Britain and demanded O'Brien's immediate resignation, according to the newspaper.
The 74-year-old cardinal has contested the claims and said he is taking legal advice.
O’Brien had been prepared to resign, citing his age as the cause. He turns 75 on March 17, and the Vatican said the pope had in November accepted a resignation letter under the condition of “nunc pro tunc,” meaning “now for later.”
The Vatican said Monday, however, that the pontiff had now accepted the resignation “definitively.”
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images, file
The Vatican confirmed Monday that it had accepted the resignation of Cardinal Keith O'Brien, 74.
It means O'Brien will not take part in the conclave to elect the pope's successor - a process that could begin earlier than March 15 after the rules governing the process were changed in a move announced Monday.
O’Brien said in a statement that it was the pope himself who had decided his resignation would take effect immediately.
“Approaching the age of 75 and at times in indifferent health, I tendered my resignation … some months ago,” he said. “The Holy Father has now decided that my resignation will take effect today.”
O'Brien would have been Britain's only elector in the papal conclave that will gather to decide on a successor to Benedict XVI.
"I will not join them for this conclave in person," O'Brien said. "I do not wish media attention in Rome to be focused on me -- but rather on Pope Benedict XVI and on his successor."
A hint of O’Brien’s accelerated resignation was found Sunday in Edinburgh, when the cardinal did not appear as scheduled to lead a Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Instead, Bishop Stephen Robson made a statement on O’Brien’s behalf.
“A number of allegations of inappropriate behavior have been made against the cardinal,” the statement said. “The cardinal has sought legal advice, and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time. There will be further statements in due course.”
Robson is an auxiliary prelate in the Edinburgh diocese.
O'Brien's statement went on to say: "I have valued the opportunity of serving the people of Scotland and overseas in various ways since becoming a priest. Looking back over my years of ministry: For any good I have been able to do, I thank God. For any failures, I apologize to all whom I have offended."
Controversy
O’Brien had gained a reputation as a hard-line conservative and opponent of gay rights.
In 2009, O’Brien urged the Scottish National Party to abandon plans to give gay couples the same foster-parenting rights as straight ones, calling the idea “misguided” and saying that gays were known for unstable relationships.
Scandals are still on the minds of Catholics as Benedict's time as pope grows short. NBC's Ann Thompson reports.
Last year, he wrote an editorial in the Daily Telegraph in which he urged people to stand up against a proposal to allow gay marriage, which he said was “madness.” He referred then to same-sex marriage as a “grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right.”
O’Brien’s stance and other comments led the gay rights group Stonewall UK last year to nominate him for its “Bigot of the Year” award.
“Ten-thousand people overwhelmingly, decisively voted that he should be given that award,” said Colin MacFarlane, director of Stonewall Scotland. “We don’t call people a bigot because they disagree with us. We reserve that for people who use the kind of language the cardinal has used. He has gone out of his way. It has not been fair discourse. His language has been cruel, hurtful and pernicious.”
The group's response to news of O'Brien's resignation was unsurprising.
“We trust there will now be a full investigation into the serious allegations made against Cardinal O’Brien,” MacFarlane said. “We hope his successor will show a little more Christian charity towards openly gay people than the cardinal did himself.”
Two weeks ago, the pope’s brother, the Rev. Georg Ratzinger, said scandals had troubled Benedict XVI and may have contributed to his decision to retire.
He specifically mentioned that Benedict had been bothered by the "Vatileaks" scandal in which a butler leaked secret documents, as well as the "the relationship to the Pius Brotherhood."
That organization, formally known as the Society of St. Pius X, fell into a harsh public spotlight in December when its leader, Bishop Bernard Fellay, said Jews were "the enemies of the church." His comment drew criticism from all corners of the church and from the public in general.
Georg Ratzinger said he thought his brother had handled those problems well but that they had taken their toll.
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Vatican history of 'cover-ups and disarray' will challenge new pope
This story was originally published on Mon Feb 25, 2013 6:55 AM EST
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Is the whole Catholic church from the Pope on down nothing more than a bunch of rat ass perverts?? Is that what the Catholic church is all about? Is it nothing more than a gay pervert club?? Yet another reason not to go to church. FOOLS rush in where wise men fear to tread. I guess it's true.
The non-biblical rule of celibacy will do strange things to a fella, but priests are still not up there with the atheist Jeffrey Dahmer. Now that was one sick man; pedophile and cannibal. So apparently religion has nothing to do with this sickness, but the blatant cover-up by the Catholic hierarchy is what is so sad and disgusting. Good viewpoint about this can be seen in the documentary below. Even a priest admits that he could not get help for his problem. It is called Deliver Us From Evil.
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/deliver-us-from-evil/
Truthfully now, is anyone surprised....Yawnnnnn!
Keith O'Brien is one of the most vocal opponents of gay marriage and basic employment and civil rights for gay people. THAT'S why this is a big deal: the hypocrite got caught doing what he preached against. not only that, but his words and actions hurt gay people around the world, when the whole time, he was just another closet case hypocrite.
The catholic church, and religion in general is going to have to change, or it's headed the way of the dodo bird. I believe in God, but I will NEVER, EVER believe in religion. It's a sham.
Good! Bring on the criminal proceedings.
The catholic church is an institution of madness and hatred and homosexuality and child-sex abuse. It's hell on earth!
The Catholic church should be abolished in this country and all it's buildings turned into homeless shelters. Without the Priests of course.
Sigh...
The only thing that suprises me is that people STILL go to a Catholic church. Seems they don't care what the church or it's priests do. And if they don't complain then they must agree. Either that or they are afraid they won't get a seat on the fairy tale train to heaven if they say anything. It must be wonderful to be brainwashed and afraid all the time. God is watching you. Wooooooo. BOO.
I asked a good friend of mine who is Catholic the same question. Why do you go? He said that he hates the Catholic administration but goes for the message.
412,000 priests worldwide and only couple hundred cases of abuse is not rampant thats less than 1 perc. and accused does not mean guilty tarzan
Shiloh, did your friend say what the "message" really is or was, trying to wrap my head around that, The Christ's admonishments are pretty clear, but it appears to me that the message got lost over the centuries and to the present day. I guess I really do know that there really isn't a clear message, my question rather rhetorical.
apples-n-oranges
Watch Deliver us From Evil done by a Catholic to hear the viewpoints of those who suffered abuse. Many cases go undocumented because of the cover-ups and moving offenders to other parishes instead of getting rid of them.
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/deliver-us-from-evil/
cover ups? if i had been abused by a priest i or my parents would not go to the priest but straight to the local law inforcement, someone would get arrested
The Church does it again, someone high up resigns without explanation and the stories come out ..... the Church would be better off spending some $ setting up a spokesman to explain and field questions a news conference.
Until women take over the House and Senate and White House and the Catholic Church, and Islam and all other religions we will not have peace, honesty, safety for ourselves and our children. we will continue to fight wars, argue over feeding the poor and providing health care to everyone. the ball has been in the man's court a long time now and it is a mess - it is time for women to stand up and take over. I am not a radical anything just a pissed of grandmother who is tired of the crap in the world
Why do people still attend and support this religion of Pedophiles, Child Rapists, Homosexuality, etc, what possible justification can they use? Do they speak about this at Mass or just collect your hard earned envelopes of cash.
I am not just ranting about the Catholic Church either, all Churches have their dirt and controversies but all pale compared to the Catholic Church, no one comes close. It's like ALL the Priest, Cardinals, Pope's, etc have been molested so they become molesters themselves, if you ask them all they will say that they were molested so it is acceptable for them to become molesters themselves.
better shut down all schools, get rid of all public servants, close all ymca's and for sure do away with ALL daycare because child abuse is absolutely rampant there, this is NOT a rcc problem its a worldwide problem
I feel truly sorry for these scourge of evil in Christ name. Surely there must be a special place in Hell for you.
All Gods little children and you crush them so pitifully and without remorse. All the pain and agony you will ever know, is not enough. May the Good Lord not have mercy on you in any way. These precious babes of God dirtied by your selfish , evil , intentions are our future as God sees fit. I believe you should all go hang yourself or jump off a cliff like the very children of Judas that you definitely are. Go and leave Gods children to Him and Him alone, you filthly rotten flesh servants of hell, all of you.
another middle class: you must not have a son otherwise you woudn't be comparing relegions. Its not that it only happens in the catholic church, its that it happened globally on a wide scale within the catholic church and IT WAS KEPT SECRET AT THE TOP WHICH INCLUDES THE POPE!!! if you had a son, you should be livid considering the abuse has messed up every young boy who had the unfortunate experience of this. Didnt you read about all the abuses especially to orphaned children, schood of the deaf and blind. This is not about sleeping with a prostitute, but doing serious damage to a child. I grew up catholic and believe its views are outdated and backwards. Its all about burning in hell and who wants to live their live this way. i believe in Jesus and God but have no interest in having a relegion tell me what to think. I know right from wrong and I try to be a good compassionate person, therefore I dont need a church to allow me to do that. Catholism is another form of brainwashing!!!
Priests don't believe in God any more than I do. It's a joke to them to see people come in and pour out all their very private feelings in the confession booth. These are weak minded people who were brainwashed at an early age, as are most people who go to church. I almost feel sorry for them. Almost.
Amen, CHRISFROMCINCY!!!!!!!! Most people that are gays cannot believe in the bible or they couldnt
condone it. Its so wrong in the eyes of God, but now we have to deal with an antichrist gov and antichrist
world so there you go. I get sick to my stomach when I see a butch and a women kissing and cuddling. We are supposed to love everyone, but the bible says you can judge them by there fruits. I am glad I am not the judge.
I lost a very good friend who was gay and brought up a christian. He died with Aids. He was so remorseful. Broke my heart.
Isnt that a shame, a senior level child molester gets exposed for being the piece of @!$%# that he is, and now he doesnt get to attend the circle jerk with the other senior child molesters.
The catholic church--proof that god has bowel movements.
The problem with Catholics is they believe their Cardinals, Bishops and Popes are the only ones capable of speaking to the Lord and interrpreting the bible. This BS occured back in time when the Catholic church was the law of the land and set the laws and it was done by those impowered in order to make themselves more powerful. If their people would realize men are men and are fallible and instead turn themselves to the instructions of God in the bible they wouldn't subject themselves to this type of predatory behavior by those who place themselves as go betweens between the people and God.
Its the internet. The polititions, police, and Vatican can't cover up forever anymore. God bless the truth.
If the Catholic Church was serious about cleaning up its pedos, all three of these priests would be promoted to bishop and put in charge of areas with the strongest history of child abuse.
Well, we feel sorry for you Tarzan. The world the way is now it takes a much stronger and kind hearted God fearing person to carry on than the those who just follow what ever is easiest for them and makes them feel good.
ITs about the man who walked this earth and gave his life for us. Suffered persecution, from people just like you. You too will answer just as the rest of us will. For those that dont believe there is a god thats your right. Someone is wrong, so rather than risk going to hell Im following the good book as best I can. There is
way more to loose if you are wrong.
Yeah, and you could very easily replace the words "Catholic Cleric" with "Senator" or "Congressman" and have the same story. Just sayin'...
or replace cleric with teacher, farmer, doctor, coach, scoutmaster.. same story. fititman21, you got it right.
All the cardinals should resign. They have all been tainted by controversies that they have either caused or done nothing about. Pope tweets on real reasons for stepping down – “no one was listening to me.” Read sorrysods.com for his full confession. See rationalexaminer.com for why the Church has become irrelevant.
Yes another anti-Catholic, anti-Christian rant. Looks like they have joined in alongside the anti-gun articles. Now everytime a Cathllic farts, it's front page news. Just like when someone gets shot, now every incident of that is front page news.
REA40, I wouldn't hold a fart up there on the same evil list as not only a child molester who scars children both physiclally and psychologically for life but someone who drapes themselves in the robes of goodness to better draw in their prey. But if you do, I hope hell is big enough to accomodate not only all of their pitiful souls but yours as well.
No Carl I don't equate the 2, guess you missed my point. Too bad you need to end your post hoping I end up in hell.
The largest scale of immorality of the Catholic Church is my opinion?
A: Going into poor countries, such as Latin American countries and then preaching the evils of birth control to poor vunerable families.
This has led to massive poverty and overpopulation.
Want to blame someone for illegal immigration? Before you blame the extremely poor, look back at the Catholic Church who misled them.
Where in the hell did they come up with "no birth control"? It is killing our planet.
Yes, I blame the Catholic Church.
An interesting trend.
I realize that the word Karma is not associated with Catholicism but they may wish to look into the possibility anyway.