«Pope Francis 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 Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, after a long period of prayer.»
In the form of communique, this news was made available today to journalists in the Holy See Press Office by its Vice-director, Father Ciro Benedettini, who spoke on the matter and distributed the brief statement from the Dean of the College of Cardinals.
«With this provision,» the statement added, «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. «
Responding to some questions, Father Benedettini said that today «is not a punishment that comes at the end of a process,» but is the acceptance of the request of the Scottish cardinal after a long inner journey. He also noted this «concludes all proceedings of the Church against O’Brien.»
The Vatican spokesman reaffirmed to journalists present that O’Brien is still a cardinal, by title and name only, and still a priest, but no longer has any of the roles previously entrusted to him, including voting in the College of Cardinals.
