SCOTLAND
Herald Scotland
Gerry Braiden
Local Government Correspondent
Tuesday 26 February 2013
THE Catholic Church in Scotland has been thrown into an unprecedented crisis following the accelerated resignation of its most senior cleric in the face of allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards young priests.
Cardinal Keith O’Brien had been due to formally submit his resignation in three weeks, but he has stood down with immediate effect after weekend revelations he was being investigated for the claims, which date back 30 years and relate to three priests and a former priest.
The 74-year-old will also not attend the conclave to choose the successor to Pope Benedict, who steps down on Thursday, a move that leaves the Catholic Church in the UK with no vote in the election.
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