Michael KellyThe unprecedented move is the first time that a cardinal has been removed from office in living memory
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation from the College of Cardinals of Irishman Archbishop Keith O’Brien.
The unprecedented move is the first time that a cardinal has been removed from office in living memory. Archbishop O’Brien dramatically stepped down as head of the St Andrews & Edinburgh Archdiocese in 2013 after admitting that “there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal”.
However, up to this point he remained a cardinal and retained all the privileges associated with the office, including that of eventually electing a successor to Pope Francis. He now loses all these rights and ranks with immediate effect. However, he retains the title of cardinal.
In a brief communique announcing the Pope’s decision, the Vatican said “with this provision, His Holiness would like to manifest his pastoral solicitude to all the faithful of the Church in Scotland and to encourage them to continue with hope the path of renewal and reconciliation”.
The Catholic Church in Scotland has welcomed the decision to accept the resignation.
Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews & Edinburgh said “as most people are aware, Pope Francis is a good and prayerful man whose character embodies justice and mercy. I am confident therefore that the decision of the Holy Father is fair, equitable and proportionate”.
Dr Cushley, who has had the task of rebuilding morale in the wake of the scandal, said: “Cardinal O’Brien’s behaviour distressed many, demoralised faithful Catholics and made the Church less credible to those who are not Catholic”.
In a short statement, the former 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 March 3, 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.”
Archbishop Cushley said he wanted to “acknowledge and welcome his apology to those affected by his behaviour and also to the people of Scotland, especially the Catholic community”.
Today’s announcement follows the decision by Pope Francis to send a personal envoy, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, on a fact-finding mission to Scotland last year. Based upon that investigation – the content of which is fully know only to Pope Francis and Archbishop Scicluna – Pope Francis has reached his canonical conclusion.
It is understood that Cardinal O’Brien’s decision followed a private discussion with Pope Francis. Church officials said that was preceded by a period of prayer and penance in order to allow the cardinal to reflect upon his misconduct.
Dr O’Brien had been accused of “inappropriate acts” by three serving priests and a former priest while they were in seminary.
It was alleged that some of these incidents were sexual advances after alcohol-fuelled parties in seminary.