Recently retired Cardinal Keith O’Brien, archbishop emeritus of St. Andrews and Edinburgh in Scotland, released a statement last night regarding allegations of impropriety made against him.
In his statement, Cardinal O’Brien said that the allegations made public in early February were “anonymous and non-specific” thereby leading him to contest them.
“However, I wish to take this opportunity to admit that there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal,” the cardinal’s statement read.
“To those I have offended,” he continued, “I apologize and ask forgiveness. To the Catholic Church and people of Scotland, I also apologize.”
When news began to spread that Benedict XVI accepted his resignation, Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See press office, refuted media speculations that the Holy Father accepted Cardinal O’Brien’s resignation due to the allegations.
Fr. Lombardi went on to confirm that Cardinal O’Brien tendered his resignation in November 2012, prior to his 75th birthday.
Concluding his statement, Cardinal O’Brien stated that he will live the rest of his life in retirement and will play “no further part in the life of the Catholic Church in Scotland.»
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On the Net:
Full statement: http://www.scmo.org/articles/statement-from-cardinal-obrien.html
