Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Francis has formally accepted the resignation of Cardinal Keith O’Brien following a meeting between the two.

It has been confirmed this afternoon that the former Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh will continue to observe the strictly private life he has lived since he resigned in February 2013 before the last Papal election. He will no longer performing the key duties of a cardinal—such as holding Pontifical Commission office or attending or participating in consistories or conclaves—but retains his ‘red hat.’

Pope Francis has asked Cardinal O’Brien (above) to keep living a simple and quiet life following the cardinal’s admission of behaviour unbecoming of his office.

A formal statement released by the Vatican today said: ‘The Holy Father has accepted the resignation of the rights and privileges of a cardinal, expressed in canons 349, 353 and 356 of the Code of Canon Law, presented by His Eminence Cardinal Keith Michael Patrick O’Brien, Archbishop Emeritus of St Andrews & Edinburgh, after a period of prayer and penance. 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.”

Cardinal O’Brien said he accepted the decision of the Holy Father.

“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,” he said. “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.”

The cardinal said he wished to thank ‘Pope Francis for his fatherly care of me.’

“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,” he said.

Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh, who was in Rome this week, said he welcomed the Pope’s decision.

“As most people are aware, Pope Francis is a good and prayerful man whose character embodies justice and mercy,” Archbishop Cushley said. “I am confident therefore that the decision of the Holy Father is fair, equitable and proportionate.”

The archbishop went on to say he believed ‘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,” he said. “For my own part, I would like to express sorrow and regret to those most distressed by the actions of my predecessor. I also pay tribute to those who had the courage to come forward to speak to Archbishop Scicluna. I hope now that all of us affected by this sad and regrettable episode will embrace a spirit of forgiveness, the only spirit that can heal any bitterness and hurt that still remains.”

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, the Holy Father has reached his canonical conclusion.

A statement from the Scottish Church said Cardinal O’Brien will continue to live outside Scotland until such times as he may require full-time residential accommodation for the sick or elderly, at which point this arrangement will be reconsidered. Cardinal O’Brien has, as yet, made no comment on this.

—[email protected]

Pic: Paul McSherry