UNITED KINGDOM
The Telegraph
Cardinal Keith O’Brien’s resignation and his decision not to attend the papal conclave leaves Britain’s Roman Catholics without a vote in the forthcoming election to choose the successor to Pope Benedict XVI.
By Telegraph reporters
1:36PM GMT 25 Feb 2013
The announcement comes after allegations by three priests and one ex-priest of inappropriate behaviour, published in yesterday’s Observer newspaper and dating back to the 1980s. The cardinal reportedly contests the claims.
Cardinal O’Brien is no stranger to making the news but it is more usually the result of his at times outspoken views.
He has been an advocate of priests marrying but also an outspoken opponent of plans to legalise same-sex marriage.
Last year his stance earned him the Bigot of the Year award from the gay rights group Stonewall.
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