Hypocrite Cardinal O'Brien Admits Sex Acts – in a Vague Apology That Will Make Things Worse

By Damian Thompson
The Telegraph
March 3, 2013

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100205086/hypocrite-cardinal-obrien-admits-sex-acts-in-a-vague-apology-that-will-make-things-worse/


I'm deeply unimpressed by Cardinal Keith O'Brien's vague and guarded admission that "there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal". Does he really think he can leave it at that? After raging against gay marriage with a ferocity that was – I suspect – intended to make the English bishops look wimpish and therefore butter up the Vatican?

Scottish Catholics in particular have the right to ask: What the hell do you mean by "sexual conduct"?

And what are we supposed to make of this? "In recent days certain allegations which have been made against me have become public. Initially, their anonymous and non-specific nature led me to contest them."

Sorry, I don't follow the logic. The Cardinal must have had a good idea who was making the claims, and what behaviour was involved. You can't contest allegations, as he did, just because public ignorance of the charges leaves you a certain amount of breathing space.

You've been exposed as a hypocrite, Keith Patrick O'Brien. Possibly a liar as well. Don't kid yourself that this evasive statement will bring matters to a close.