SCOTLAND
Scotsman
By ROSEMARY FREE
Published on Sunday 24 February 2013
THE most senior Roman Catholic cleric in Britain failed to show for Mass in Edinburgh today amid claims of inappropriate behaviour dating back three decades.
Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, is facing allegations from three priests and one former priest who are demanding his immediate resignation, it has emerged.
The allegations sent shockwaves through the Catholic community on the day that Pope Benedict XVI gave his final Sunday blessing before tens of thousands of people in St Peter’s Square. The cardinal, who remained in his official residence in Morningside this morning, is contesting the claims, and is taking legal advice. A spokesman for the Vatican said that “the pope is informed about the problem and the question is now in his hands.”
In tears
Bishop Steven Robson, who took the special Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh in the cardinal’s absence, told the congregation – some of whom were in tears – that they “cannot not be saddened” by events, after which a number of people left the cathedral.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, the former archbishop of Westminster, said he was “very sad” to hear of the allegations made against Cardinal O’Brien and would have to “see how that pans out.”
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