ABUSE TRACKER

SCOTLAND
Scotsman

“IF IT were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well, it were done quickly.” So speaks Macbeth of the murder of the king, but the words might well be self-applied by someone who finds themselves in the situation faced by Cardinal Keith O’Brien, when he learned of the news stories reporting accusations against him of inappropriate behaviour.

The circumstances could hardly be more dramatic: on Thursday the Pope abdicates and the process of electing a successor begins shortly thereafter. The situation is unprecedented (medieval “resignations” were entirely different) and the Church and the world have still not worked out quite what it means. At the same time, there is speculation about possible scandals within the Vatican itself, and complaints about the attendance at the Conclave of figures accused of failure in dealing with sexual abuse cases. Under these circumstances, to have the leading serving churchman from the British Isles turn up in Rome beneath a dark and heavy cloud would intensify the storm.

To his credit, the cardinal has understood all of this, no doubt feeling the deep irony of the fact of his imminent retirement, and in circumstances of ill-health, and he has done the right thing. Whether this is what the publicisers of the accusations hoped for in reporting the allegations now, and whether they will feel satisfied at the outcome I do not know, but it is hard not to ask, with the Romans, cui bono – who benefits?

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UNITED STATES
The American Conservative

By Rod Dreher • February 25, 2013

A day after he stood formally accused by three priests and one ex-priest of sexually harassing them, Scotland’s Cardinal Keith O’Brien’s resignation from his office was announced by the Vatican. O’Brien did not admit fault in the accusations, or address them at all, except perhaps in this oblique remark:

Looking back over my years of ministry: for any good I have been able to do, I thank God. For any failures, I apologise to all whom I have offended.

It is not credible to think that O’Brien resigned simply to avoid controversy at the upcoming conclave, as his public statement indicates. The man has been formally accused by three active priests and one ex-priest. That’s not nothing. Here is the news report from the weekend about the allegations. The ex-priest says he didn’t leave the priesthood to marry, but rather because when O’Brien became archbishop, he knew he would be forever subject to the man who sexually abused him:

“You have to understand,” explains the ex-priest, “the relationship between a bishop and a priest. At your ordination, you take a vow to be obedient to him.

“He’s more than your boss, more than the CEO of your company. He has immense power over you. He can move you, freeze you out, bring you into the fold … he controls every aspect of your life. You can’t just kick him in the balls.”

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VATICAN CITY
Irish Times

PADDY AGNEW in Rome

On what was another momentous day in this curious pre-resignation moment in the pontificate of Benedict XVI, the Holy See confirmed yesterday that Benedict had changed the rules governing the conclave which will next month to elect his successor.

On any other day, Benedict’s Motu Proprio or papal decree relative to the conclave would have dominated all news attention. When he faced the world’s media yesterday, however, Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi found himself having to deal with questions about another resignation, that of Scottish cardinal Keith O’Brien.

Just one day after UK media reports revealed that Cardinal O’Brien had been accused of “inappropriate acts” with three priests and one ex-priest, the Vatican confirmed the pope had accepted his resignation, effective immediately. However, Fr Lombardi refused to comment on the accusations made against Cardinal O’Brien nor could he confirm the Scottish cardinal will not now attend the conclave.

It was Cardinal O’Brien himself who confirmed he will not attend, with a statement in which he said he did not want media attention to be focused on him, “but rather on Pope Benedict XVI and his successor” at the conclave.

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UNITED KINGDOM
Irish Times

Patsy McGarry

Cardinal had liberal reputation until man who would be pope made him toe line

There must be glee in Stonewall today. Set up in 1989 to promote equal rights for gay people it awarded Cardinal Keith O’Brien its Bigot of the Year Award last November for his attacks on proposals to legalise same-sex marriage.

In an article for the Daily Telegraph last March the cardinal said civil partnerships involving gay people were “harmful to the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of those involved” while “the repercussions of enacting same-sex marriage into law will be immense”.

He bemoanded that politicians were not “derided” when they suggested “jettisoning the established understanding of marriage and subverting its meaning.” Instead, he continued, “their attempt to redefine reality is given a polite hearing, their madness is indulged”.

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CANADA
CBC News

The resignation of British Cardinal Keith O’Brien on Feb. 24 over allegations of inappropriate behaviour is the latest scandal facing the Catholic Church in the run-up to the election of the next pope in March.

Here’s a look at controversies that have emerged since Pope Benedict announced his resignation on Feb. 11.

O’Brien’s resignation

On Feb. 24, the Vatican accepted the resignation of Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who heads the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland. The 74-year-old O’Brien faces misconduct allegations after three priests and one former priest within the Diocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh filed complaints that he approached them in an inappropriate way, the Observer newspaper reported on Feb. 23.

The physical advances allegedly took place as far back as 30 years ago.

Although O’Brien is contesting the allegations, by stepping down he will no longer be a part of the conclave that will choose a new pope in March.

“I do not wish media attention in Rome to be focused on me, but rather on Pope Benedict XVI and on his successor,” O’Brien said following his resignation.

Vatileaks

On Feb. 21, the Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported that Benedict’s decision to step down could have been the result of wanting to distance himself from allegations that a network of closeted gay priests in the Vatican was being subjected to blackmail.

According to the paper, the Pope’s decision to step down came on the same day last December that he received a dossier related to the so-called “Vatileaks” controversy — the 2012 scandal in which the Pope’s butler, Paolo Gabriele, was arrested for allegedly stealing secret documents.

La Repubblica reported that the dossier concluded that because of their alleged homosexuality, some members of the Holy See were susceptible to “external influence,” in other words, blackmail.

The Vatican replied on Feb. 23 by condemning the “false and damaging reports” and suggesting that the media were trying to influence the election of the next pontiff.

U.S. allegations of coverup

Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, former head of the largest Catholic archdiocese in the U.S., is being urged not to take part in the conclave after being accused of protecting more than 120 sexually abusive priests during his time as the archbishop of Los Angeles from 1985 to 2011.

According to the L.A. Times, a Catholic organization called Catholic United has gathered thousands of signatures and took a petition to Mahoney on Feb. 23, asking that for the well-being of the Catholic Church, Mahony refrain from participating in the conclave.

The protest is in response to the Jan. 31 release of 12,000 pages of personal documents dealing with the accusations and Mahony and other officials’ handling of them, which were published by court order. The files showed that Mahony helped keep accused priests of out trouble.

In one instance, the files showed that an accused priest by the name of Aguilar Rivera fled to Mexico when Thomas Curry, Mahony’s aide, advised him that parents of the allegedly abused children might go to the police. Rivera is still a fugitive in Mexico, the Times reported.

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VATICAN CITY
U.S. Catholic

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI’s disgust over the abuse scandals marring the church was made evident even before his election as pope.

In his forceful Way of the Cross meditations, which he wrote as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in the few weeks before his election as pope in 2005, he wrote for the world to hear: “How much filth there is in the church, and even among those who, in the priesthood, ought to belong entirely to him.”

That straightforward attitude, coupled with sympathy for victims and commitment toward prevention, marked much of the pope’s subsequent eight years as pope.

“Pope Benedict XVI will certainly be remembered for his extraordinary reply and response to the very sad phenomenon of sexual abuse of minors by the clergy,” Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna of Malta told Vatican Radio. The bishop was promoter of justice at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, handling accusations of clerical sex abuse from 2002 to 2012.

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UNITED KINGDOM
The Guardian

Sam Jones
The Guardian, Monday 25 February 2013

Even Keith O’Brien’s friends and admirers would probably admit that he has a regrettable tendency to deploy the heavy artillery of rhetoric whenever the public debate touches on matters of homosexuality, abortion or secularism.

As befits one of the most outspoken churchmen of the already outspoken Roman Catholic church in Scotland, he has never been slow to condemn what he sees as immorality whenever and wherever he sees it.

His vigorous opposition to same-sex marriage – “a grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right” – his comparison of the abortion rate to “two Dunblane massacres a day” and his description of the implications of the human fertilisation and embryology bill as “grotesque” and akin to “Nazi-style experiments” earned him the respect and gratitude of conservative Catholics pleased to see a cardinal taking a stand.

His language and intractability also infuriated liberals, progressive Catholics and equality campaigners. Last year, the lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewall decided to reward his “vitriolic campaign against equality in Scotland” with its bigot of the year award. “If Roman Catholics don’t approve of same-sex marriage,” said its chief executive, “they should make sure they don’t get married to someone of the same sex”.

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RHODE ISLAND
CT Post

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A priest has acknowledged he sexually abused a minor more than 30 years ago and resigned from two parishes in Woonsocket, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence said Monday.

In a statement the diocese said Monsignor John Allard was placed on administrative leave and has expressed remorse for the abuse.

State Police Maj. Michael Winquist said police received a letter from the diocese earlier this month that outlined the allegations.

Winquist said a boy who was one of Allard’s then-parishioners in Cranston was allegedly assaulted by him in 1981. The diocese said Allard served at Immaculate Conception in Cranston from 1975 to 1984.

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RHODE ISLAND
Valley Breeze

WOONSOCKET – A priest who was serving at St. Agatha and Precious Blood has acknowledged that he abused a minor in 1981 and has resigned from both churches.

Rev. Monsignor John Allard has been placed on administrative leave and police are encouraging anyone who knows of abuse to report it to police or the diocese.

The priest also served at Our Lady of Good Help in Burrillville, St. Aloysius in Woonsocket, and the Diocesan Office of Youth Ministry.

The incident, announced by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence on Monday, Feb. 25, is reported to have occurred at Immaculate Conception in Cranston, where Allard served from 1975 to 1984. In a statement, the diocese expressed remorse for the abuse.

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VATICAN CITY
International Business Times

By Vittorio Hernandez | February 26, 2013

Just days before his official retirement on Feb 28, Pope Benedict XVI made a controversial decision on Monday by forcing Scottish Cardinal, Keith O’Brien to quit his post.

The decision to pressure the head of the Scottish Catholic Church to step down over allegations of improper behavior by Cardinal O’Brien toward priests is contrary to previous reports that the cardinal resigned on his own.

The cardinal is the most serious among the 100 plus cardinals who are arriving in Vatican City to vote for the next pope in a conclave to be held inside the Sistine Chapel. His participation in the selection process was supposed to be one of his last acts as head of the Scottish Catholic Church since he is due for retirement in the next 4 weeks when he reaches 75.

Three current priests and an ex-priests claimed that the cardinal committed inappropriate acts on them during the 1980s and the publication by the Observer of the charge added to the growing list of sex scandals involving the clergy and prompted the pope’s decision.

After quitting as archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Cardinal O’Brien issued a statement apologizing for any failures to those whom he offended. He canceled his trip to Vatican, which dashes any hope of him supporting a papabili who would be more friendlier to the idea of a growing proposal to remove the marriage ban on priests.

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UNITED KINGDOM
Washington Post

By David Gibson| Religion News Service,

Updated: Monday, February 25

If you want a crash course on how papal politics really works, look no further than the saga of Scottish Cardinal Keith O’Brien.

On Friday, Britain’s most senior Catholic cleric grabbed headlines by telling the BBC that priestly celibacy was “not of divine origin” and that he’d be “happy” if priests had the option to marry.

On Saturday, O’Brien was back in the news, this time after four men reportedly accused him of “inappropriate acts” dating back to the 1980s.

By Monday, O’Brien had resigned as archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh and announced he would skip the conclave.

From champion of married priests to disgraced churchman within 72 hours, O’Brien’s trajectory is stunning but also emblematic of the frenetic and fever-pitched campaigning that occurs during the tiny window between a pope’s death or resignation and the election of his successor.

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VATICAN CITY
Detroit Free Press

by Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY

The Vatican today appears rocked by scandalous rumors and resignations just as church leaders must gear up to replace frail Pope Benedict XVI within weeks.

But Vatican experts say if you think the world’s largest non-governmental institution is in unprecedented chaos right now, think again.

“Have you ever heard of the Borgias?” quips professor Terrence Tilley, chairman of the theology department for Fordham University, New York. They were the larcenous, adulterous, murderous, election-rigging, Renaissance-era family of renaissance popes “who ran the papacy for decades like a private fief.”

For all the sex, money and power headlines wafting out of Rome these days, at least no one has been murdered. Infighting and innuendo, though, are ancient traditions that have moved into the bright lights of the 24/7 news cycle social media.

“It’s high season for reporting chaos,” Tilley says. “There have always been rumors about money, power and sex in the Vatican. The question is not whether but how much. There’s a lot of smoke, right now. Is there a spark, yes. If it’s a fire, is it a small campfire or a five-alarm conflagration? No one knows.”

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UNITED STATES
First Things

Monday, February 25, 2013

John Haldane

The resignation of Cardinal O’Brien as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, within a month of the date on which his formal resignation would normally have taken effect, is both shocking and sad, for he was a well-known and well-liked figure within the Catholic Church in Scotland, in Britain, and more widely; and within Scotland he had good relations with other churches and faiths, and with civil and political society.

Given the nature of the accusations, however, and the publication of them over the weekend, ahead of the formal abdication of Pope Benedict later in the week, it is unsurprising that he has taken the decision to resign. The Scottish Catholic Church has a good reputation in Rome for clear and confident leadership, and the Pope particularly relished the Scottish part of his visit to the UK, and appreciated the work done by Cardinal O’Brien and his fellow bishops.

With that in mind, however, the Cardinal could not but be mindful of the problems that would follow given the inevitable press interest created by the accusations, and he would not want that burden to fall upon the Church and the Pope at what is obviously a critical moment in the life of the Roman Catholic community.

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UNITED STATES
Virtue Online

The Episcopal Church embraces what Rome calls “intrinsically disordered”

News Analysis

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
February 25, 2013

Leading Episcopal gay and lesbian clergy and laity are publicly gloating over revelations that more leading Roman Catholic leaders have been quietly practicing what they themselves openly practice and preach.

In the name of transparency, integrity, openness, inclusion and diversity, the Episcopal Church has rolled over to the zeitgeist and embraced pansexuality, even as leading Catholic prelates have been exposed for their sexual behavior paralleling a number of Episcopal bishops. Four of them have publicly outed themselves including Gene Robinson, Mary Glasspool, Otis Charles and Tom Shaw, while other Episcopal bishops clandestinely practice sodomy but have chosen not to “come out” preferring to remain closeted with their sexual practices.

Who is surprised to learn that there are gay priests in the Vatican, asked Jim Naughton in a headline at his liberal blog Episcopal Café? “It is common knowledge that punitive attitudes about sexuality and the pressure to keep one’s identity hidden can lead to unhealthy behavior. People who hide their identities and engage in these behaviors are open to blackmail. So this news is less shocking than it is predictable. The church’s repressive teaching and the subterfuge it engenders–from officials of all sexual orientations–is what is undermining the church.”

Or this:

“Perhaps we need to add to the list of known knowns and unknown unknowns, the “known but not acknowledged.” One of the principal facts of scandal is that there is a fact, a reality that is revealed publicly. So I would not automatically dismiss this as a possibility. After all, in addition to being Bishop of Rome, one might well observe that the pontiff is to some extent Prisoner of the Vatican… and many are the secrets held in pectore…”

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CANADA
The Province

VICTORIA — A former Victoria-area Roman Catholic priest has been found guilty of one sex-related charge while being acquitted of three others.

Sixty-three-year-old Phil Jacobs was convicted of touching a person under the age of 14 for sexual purposes.

B.C. Supreme Court Judge Madam Justice Merriam Gropper acquitted Jacobs of three other charges, including sexual assault and two counts of sexual touching of a person under 14.

She said much of the evidence raised doubts over when the alleged offences took place and she was therefore unable to find Jacobs guilty on those charges.

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UNITED STATES
Los Angeles Times

A top U.S. cardinal on Monday said Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony should help select a new pope despite new revelations about his handling of priest abuse cases.

Cardinal William Levada spoke about Mahony and the historic events at the Vatican during a talk at a Menlo Park seminary, according to the Associated Press. Levada is a former cardinal of San Francisco who also served as the pope’s prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Critics have slammed Mahony for going to Rome after church files released last month showed he worked to prevent law enforcement officials from investigating priests who molested children. Mahony has apologized for his actions in the 1980s but said it was his duty to select a new pope.

On Saturday, a Catholic organization delivered a petition with thousands of signatures asking that Mahony recuse himself from the conclave in Rome.

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PHILADELPHIA (PA)
San Francisco Chronicle

By PATRICK WALTERS, Associated Press

Monday, February 25, 2013

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Monday the city has been formally selected by the Vatican to host a large gathering of the Roman Catholic church called the World Meeting of Families in 2015, with Archbishop Charles Chaput saying the region’s 1.5 million Catholics are in need of “healing and renewal.”

The meeting, expected to draw hundreds of thousands from around the world, will be held from Sept. 22 through Sept. 27 in 2015. Pope Benedict XVI originally announced the selection of the city as host in June, months before his planned resignation was announced earlier this month.

The dates for the VIII World Meeting of Families were confirmed in a letter last month, Chaput said Monday. At a news conference, Chaput said he didn’t know why the pope chose Philadelphia but that he was “deeply grateful.”

“These events also become moments of grace,” he said, adding that the region’s Catholic community is “in need of healing and renewal” and that the church needs “to better protect children and young people.”

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MICHIGAN
Daily Tribune

By CAROL HOPKINS
carol.hopkins@oakpress.com; @opcarolhopkins

Four former St. Mary’s Orchard Lake Schools students have come forward to say they were sexually molested by a priest at the school in the 1980s — and a Boston attorney has heard the stories and is researching his next step in the matter.

The priest, Brother Stephen Baker, worked at the school in Orchard Lake between 1983-85.

Baker, 62, killed himself Jan. 26 with a self-inflicted knife wound to the heart at the St. Bernardine Monastery in Hollidaysburg, Pa. — Baker is accused of molesting high schools students in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Baker left a note apologizing for his actions, officials reported.

Prior abuse cases continue to trouble the church.

There is no record that Baker molested anyone connected with the school system, said officials with the Archdiocese of Detroit.

“He knew no bounds and was not properly being supervised,” said Mitchell Garabedian, a Boston, Mass.-based attorney who specializes in sexual abuse cases.

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UNITED STATES
Pew Research Center

Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to hold his final general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Feb. 27, the day before he steps down as leader of the Roman Catholic Church. In the coming weeks, approximately 117 cardinals, including 11 from the United States, will gather to elect his successor. How do U.S. Catholics view the church, and what do they want from the next pope? Here are some of the Pew Research Center’s key findings about the U.S. Catholic population on these and other questions.

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CANADA
Saanich News

By Kyle Slavin – Saanich News
Published: February 25, 2013

Father Phil Jacobs has been found guilty of touching a young person for a sexual purpose, but not guilty on three other counts of molestation.

Justice Miriam Gropper handed down her verdict this morning in B.C. Supreme Court after a trial that spanned December and January.

Three young men and former students of St. Joseph the Worker School testified that Jacobs molested and sexually touched them during his tenure as parish priest at the Saanich Catholic school in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

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VATICAN CITY
Gazzetta del Sud

Vatican City, February 25 – With only four days remaining before Benedict XVI steps down as pope, new questions continue to surface regarding how his successor will be elected. On Monday Benedict issued a decree changing the rules of the conclave electing the new head of the Catholic Church. The rule change allows the conclave to take place sooner than the mandatory 15 days from a papacy’s end, and so before mid-March, the Vatican said. “The cardinals will be permitted to bring forward the start of the conclave, if they are all present,” said the decree, called ‘motu proprio’ in Latin. Vatican Spokesman Federico Lombardi said: “We cannot anticipate the date of the conclave, but it is likely a formal decision will come in the first few days of March”.

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SCOTLAND
STV

[with video]

The Catholic Church in Scotland has been engulfed in crisis following the resignation of Cardinal Keith O’Brien amid allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” stretching back 30 years.

Cardinal O’Brien is to step down with immediate effect after three priests and a former priest made complaints to the Vatican.

The move leaves the Catholic Church in Britain with no vote in the forthcoming conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI after the Cardinal said he would not attend.

Cardinal O’Brien’s resignation is the latest in a series of scandals that have rocked the Catholic Church. Two years ago, the Bishop of Bruges stepped down after admitting to sexual abuse. And in Ireland, revelations have come to light that 10,000 women were kept as virtual slaves in church-run laundries across the country.

The current scandal is so profound that Professor Tom Devine of the University of Edinburgh said: “This is possibly the biggest crisis in the history of Scottish Catholicism since the Reformation.

“It has come from the heart and soul of the church.”

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UNITED KINGDOM
Hollywood Reporter

LONDON – The resignation of Britain’s most senior representative of the Roman Catholic church, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, pushed Adele, Daniel Day Lewis and the other British-born Oscar winners down in U.K. news coverage on Monday.

The Oscars led early morning news shows as the best picture award was handed out in the early hours of Monday morning here.

Then, O’Brien’s resignation hit the headlines amid claims, which he contests, of “inappropriate behavior,” meaning sexual advances, towards priests dating back to the 1980s. The news began to dominate the British news agenda with it leading the BBC and ITV news reports starting mid-morning Monday.

It follows revelations in Sunday newspaper The Observer, which reported that three priests and one former priest complained about O’Brien to the Pope’s representative in Britain earlier this month, when Pope Benedict announced his shock resignation.

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ROME
Gazzetta del Sud

Rome, February 25 – Controversial American Cardinal Roger Mahony, who critics have urged to abstain from the conclave to elect a new pope over a growing sex-abuse scandal, is in Rome and attended Benedict XVI’s final Angelus on Sunday, Mahony said on his blog Monday. Mahony answered questions under oath Saturday about a visiting Mexican priest who in 1987 is believed to have molested 26 children at the Los Angeles Archdiocese, where he was the archbishop at the time. A grass-roots campaign had sprung up, trying to shame Mahony into dropping out of the conclave over allegations that he protected sexually abusive priests by moving them to other parishes.

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UNITED KINGDOM
The Telegraph

The scandal surrounding the resignation of Cardinal Keith O’Brien shows why the Catholic Church must end its hypocrisy over gays

By Peter Stanford
8:06PM GMT 25 Feb 2013

For us million or so run-of-the-mill Catholic Mass-goers in Britain, there have been plenty of bishops’ letters and other hellfire sermons about gay marriage to sit through of late. Since the argument from the pulpit is always the same, my mind often wanders and I find myself focusing instead not on the message but on the messenger.

As a “professional” Catholic – having once edited the Catholic Herald – as well as a private one, I’ve met many clerics. Many are openly gay. Or so open when not saying Mass that it is easy to forget I’m not meant to remember it when they are.

In general, such double standards don’t overly concern me. Like the rest of us, priests, monks, bishops and even cardinals are as God made them. Whatever inner tension they struggle with as leaders in a Church that teaches that to be gay is – and I am quoting a document sent out by the soon-to-retire Pope when he was Cardinal Ratzinger – “a strong tendency towards an intrinsic moral evil”, that is a matter for their own conscience.

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VATICAN CITY
BBC News

By David Willey
BBC News, Rome

Popes tend to be prodigal with words. They make thousands of speeches and religious homilies every year. Nevertheless, papal pronouncements rarely hit the headlines.

But occasionally a single word or phrase shines out like a beacon that illuminates the arcane world of the Vatican.

One of these occasions was when at Easter 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, leading a Good Friday meditation at Rome’s Colosseum only days before the death of Pope John Paul II and his own election as Pope Benedict XVI, referred to the “filth” besmirching the Catholic Church.

We were at a loss to understand immediately to what he was referring.

As we now know, it was a reference to the clerical sexual abuse scandals which were damaging the credibility of the Catholic Church, not only in the United States, but also in many other countries.

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VATICAN CITY
The Daily Beast

by Barbie Latza Nadeau
Feb 25, 2013

Keith O’Brien’s resignation as archbishop of Scotland—amid claims that he made advances towards male priests—could be the first in a wave of scandals to plague the coming conclave.

When Cardinal Keith O’Brien handed in his resignation as archbishop of Scotland to Pope Benedict XVI ahead of his 75th birthday on March 17 last year, he likely had no idea how relevant it would become in the history of the Catholic Church. The resignation was made nunc pro tunc or “now for later”–to be dealt with when the pope had time for such matters. But Pope Benedict, who is stepping down from his papacy on February 28, only found time to approve O’Brien’s resignation last Friday. The resignation, and the presumed assumption that O’Brien will not participate in the conclave to elect the next pope, is just the latest in an avalanche of sleazy scandals to rock the Vatican since the pope tendered his resignation on February 11. And, given the speed at which the Vatican’s skeletons are surfacing, O’Brien’s resignation has left many wondering how many cardinals will be left by the time the conclave begins.

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ROME
Los Angeles Times

February 25, 2013

Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, currently at the Vatican to help select a new pope, has spoken out on Twitter and his blog about forgiving enemies.

Critics have slammed Mahony for going to Rome after new revelations that he worked to prevent law enforcement officials for investigating priests who molested children. Mahony has apologized for his actions in the 1980s and said it was his duty to select a new pope.

“Anyone interested in loving your enemies, or doing good to those who persecute you? See my blog for today. Wow, Jesus is demanding,” Mahony posted on Twitter Monday.

He expanded on the theme in a blog post.

“I can’t recall a time such as now when people tend to be so judgmental and even self-righteous, so quick to accuse, judge and condemn,” Mahony wrote on his personal blog. “And often with scant real facts and information. Because of news broadcasts now 24/7 there is little or no fact checking; no in-depth analysis; no context or history given. Rather, everything gets reported as ‘news’ regardless of the basis for the item being reported — and passed on by countless other news outlets.”

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PENNSYLVANIA
Fox Youngstown

Reported by: Adam Ferrise – Online News Manager

The third lawsuit against Catholic leaders in Pennsylvania was filed Monday, accusing church leaders of allowing Brother Stephen Baker access to teenage students he allegedly sexually abused.

Johnstown, Pa. attorney Richard Serbin filed a lawsuit Monday in Blair County Court for three unnamed alleged sexual abuse victims, who were molested by Baker while they were students at Bishop McCort High School. Baker was a religious teacher, baseball coach and athletic trainer at Bishop McCort and held the same positions at Warren’s John F. Kennedy High School.

Serbin said Monday in a phone interview he has more than three clients that Baker abused and said he would likely add more to the lawsuit. He also said he expects more to come forward throughout the process.

The filing, called a Praecipe to Issue Writ of Summons, notifies defendants that a lawsuit has been started against them. The filing says Serbin will allege sexual abuse as the reason for the lawsuit and a complaint detailing allegations will be filed at a later time.

The filing names Bishop McCort, the Third Order Regular Franciscans and the Johnstown-Altoona Catholic Diocese, as did a similar lawsuit filed by Greensburg, Pa. attorney Susan Williams in Cambria County Court.

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CANADA
Times Colonist

Louise Dickson / Times Colonist
February 25, 2013

A Roman Catholic priest has been found guilty of sexually touching a young person while in a position of trust.

This morning, the young man — whose identity is protected by a court order — burst into tears as B.C. Supreme Court Justice Miriam Gropper convicted Father Phil Jacobs, 63, of sexually touching him when he was between 14 and 18.

The offence occurred between Jan. 1, 2000, and June 30, 2001, when Jacobs was parish priest at St. Joseph the Worker in Saanich. It carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Jacobs, who resigned from the parish in 2002, was acquitted of three other charges: sexual assault; and two counts of sexual touching a young person under the age of 14.

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RHODE ISLAND
GoLocalProv

Monday, February 25, 2013

GoLocalProv News Team

The Providence Diocese has announced that the Rev. Monsignor John Allard was placed on administrative leave for alleged misconduct.

The Diocese of Providence has just announced that it has placed the Rev. Monsignor John Allard on administrative leave following a “credible allegation” of sexual misconduct of a minor that reportedly took place more than 30 years ago.

“Monsignor Allard has taken responsibility for his actions and has expressed his profound remorse for the harm he has caused,” the Diocese said.

Allard had been pastor of both the St. Agatha and Precious Blood Parishes in Woonsocket and has been replaced, at least temporarily, with the Rev. Wilfred Gregoire

The Diocese said that this is the “first and only known allegation of abuse” relative to Allard and the matter has been referred to the Rhode Island State Police.

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RHODE ISLAND
Roman Catholic Diocese of Providece

(PROVIDENCE, R.I.)- In accordance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and diocesan policy, the Diocese of Providence today announced that Rev. Monsignor John Allard has resigned as pastor of St. Agatha and Precious Blood Parishes (both in Woonsocket) and has been placed on administrative leave as a result of a credible allegation of sexual misconduct of a minor that allegedly took place more than 30 years ago. Monsignor Allard has taken responsibility for his actions and has expressed his profound remorse for the harm he has caused.

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin has appointed Rev. Wilfred Gregoire, a senior priest in residence at St. Agatha, temporary administrator of the parishes.

According to the Diocesan Office of Education and Compliance, this is the first and only known allegation of abuse relative to Msgr. Allard and the Rhode Island State Police were notified of the allegation. Due to the ongoing internal investigation, the Diocese is unable to offer additional comment at this time.

“Allegations of abuse, even if they occurred many years ago, are taken very seriously and acted upon in accordance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and diocesan policy,” said Bishop Tobin. “For the many who are affected by this heartbreaking news, I offer my prayers for healing and forgiveness.”

Msgr. Allard’s faculties, or permission to serve as a priest, have been revoked in accordance with the Charter. He has vacated the rectory and will reside at a private residence.

Bishop Tobin will meet with parish staff this week and visit the parish community in the near future to provide spiritual and pastoral support.

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RHODE ISLAND
WJAR

By WJAR Staff

PROVIDENCE –
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence said Monday that the Rev. Monsignor John Allard has resigned as pastor of St. Agatha and Precious Blood parishes in Woonsocket and has been placed on administrative leave.

The diocese said the action was a result of a credible allegation of sexual misconduct of a minor that took place more than 30 years ago.

The diocese said in a statement that Allard has taken responsibility for his actions and that he has expressed his profound remorse for the harm he has caused.

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RHODE ISLAND
Providence Journal

February 25, 2013

By Maria Armental

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The Rev. Monsignor John Allard has been placed on administrative leave, his authority to serve as a priest revoked, “as a result of a credible allegation of sexual misconduct of a minor that allegedly took place more than 30 years ago,” Diocese officials said Monday.

Msgr. Allard, most recently assigned to St. Agatha and precious Blood parishes and the Father Marot CYO Center in Woonsocket, “has taken responsibility for his actions and has expressed his profound remorse for the harm he has caused,” a news release said.

Diocese officials said “this is the first and only known allegation of abuse” against Msgr. Allard, who was ordained in 1975.

The Rev. Wilfred Gregoire, a senior priest in residence at St. Agatha, will administer the parishes in the interim.

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UNITED STATES
Catholic League

Bill Donohue comments on news stories involving gay priests:

Is there a “gay lobby” involved in blackmail that resulted in the decision of the pope to resign? No serious observer in or out of the Vatican currently accepts this account. But that hardly means there isn’t still a gay subculture in the Catholic Church.

Father Donald B. Cozzens warned us many years ago that the priesthood was becoming a “gay profession.” Notre Dame theologian Father Richard McBrien also spoke about the “gay culture” in the Church, and the damage it was doing. Father Andrew Greeley coined the term “Lavender Mafia” to refer to the way homosexual priests cover for each other. All three priests have stellar liberal credentials.

Now we have reports that Cardinal Keith O’Brien of Scotland will not be going to Rome to join the conclave because he does not want to distract from the proceedings. He has resigned following allegations by three priests and one former priest that he was involved in improper conduct. He says the accusations are untrue. Is this another example of the “Lavender Mafia” at work?

Consider this. We don’t know the names of the four men making the accusations because the British newspaper behind this story, The Observer, won’t release them; the details of what allegedly happened have not been disclosed (all we know are vague statements about “inappropriate” and “unwanted” contact); the four accusers waited over 30 years to come forward before coordinating their joint charges.

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UNITED KINGDOM
Express

By: James Murray
Published: Sun, February 24, 2013

The former BBC presenter went to weird events at a place known locally as The Chamber, which had a ceremonial whipping post in the centre of the room.

The room was decorated with an occult style pentagram and goats heads.

The building housing The Chamber still exists in Whitby, North Yorkshire, but has since been redecorated and the whipping post removed.

Officers working on Scotland Yard’s Operation Yewtree investigation will travel to the coastal town in the coming days to interview a local resident who has been amassing a file of evidence about the strange goings on there decades ago.

The man, who declined to be named, said: “There is a substantial amount of information to show Savile was invited to Satanic rituals in Whitby on a number of occasions. Once someone made a recording of what unfolded and that film is still said to be in existence in DVD form.

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UNITED KINGDOM
Daily Star

25th February 2013

By Jerry Lawton

POLICE are probing claims that disgraced DJ Jimmy Savile was filmed cavorting naked in a Satanic sex club.

Operation Yewtree detectives investigating the shamed star’s sordid antics are hunting for the footage which is said to have been preserved on DVD.

The sleazy film is said to show other celebrities and civic bigwigs taking part in naked Satanic rituals at a secret club called The Chamber.

The meeting place in Whitby, North Yorks, had a ceremonial whipping post in the centre of the room. Occult symbols including pentagrams and goat’s heads adorned the walls.

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UNITED KINGDOM
International Business Times

February 25, 2013

By Dominic Gover

Paedophile DJ Jimmy Savile danced naked during Satanic sex rituals held in a creepy underground chamber, according to reports.

Disgraced Savile regularly visited a secret club in Whitby, Scarborough, to join in sex-based rituals around a flogging post, it was claimed.

The BBC star belonged to a convent of northern public figures, now deceased, who gathered in a venue called The Chamber – which had signs of the devil on the walls.

Details were provided by a local source in Scarborough who has been delving in to Savile’s life beyond the public eye.

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UNITED STATES
National Catholic Reporter

by Pam Cohen | Feb. 25, 2013

Last week, we asked our readers which of the 117 eligible cardinals in the College of Cardinals they thought would be selected as pope next month. More than 1,000 of you voted in our preliminary round, so here we are in round two!

Below are the 26 cardinals who received the most votes in round one. Of those 26, choose the man you think will be voted to become the next pope. (We are not voting on the person you would like to see become the next pope, but we’ve received some requests to do that poll next, so keep an eye out.) Check back next Monday to see if your pick makes the top 10!

We recognize that technically, any unmarried baptized Catholic man is eligible to become pope, but since that is unlikely, we are only offering cardinals under the age of 80 (those who will be voting in the conclave) as the candidates.

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UNITED KINGDOM
The Telegraph

[with video]

Before allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ forced Cardinal Keith O’Brien to resign on Monday, he gave an interview about the Church’s attitude to sexual abuse.

Cardinal O’Brien, who resigned today over allegations of “inappropriate behaviour”, was being interviewed on February 22 about the prospect of the former archbishop of Los Angeles, who resigned over claims he protected priests accused of child sex abuse, voting for the next pope.

Cardinal O’Brien said it was down to Cardinal Mahony, to examine his “own conscience” as to whether or not he would take part in the upcoming papal conclave.

Roger Mahony, 76, was last month relieved of all his church duties for allegedly trying to conceal abuse cases involving dozens of priests in the US.

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UNITED KINGDOM
Gay Star News

25 February 2013 | By Tris Reid-Smith

Veteran British activist Peter Tatchell has told GSN he may expose ‘half a dozen’ leading clergy and politicians who are secretly gay but oppose LGBT equality.

He made the comments as he said allegations against Cardinal Keith O’Brien indicate he may have been a hypocrite. O’Brien, Britain’s most senior Catholic, quit today after claims emerged he engaged in ‘inappropriate acts’ and a ‘relationship’ with his own celibate priests.

Long-term LGBT and human rights activist Tatchell was part of campaigns in the early 1990s which threatened to ‘out’ 200 clergy, politicians and other public figures who opposed LGBT equality but were secretly gay or bi themselves.

Tatchell told GSN he knew of ‘half a dozen’ clergy and politicians who are speaking against gay and lesbian marriage equality despite their hidden sexuality.

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UNITED KINGDOM
Pannone

Alan Collins, a solicitor at law firm Pannone who has represented over fifty victims of abuse by catholic clergy, says the resignation of Cardinal Keith O’Brien should not deflect attention from the central issue of abuse in the Catholic Church.

Commented Mr Collins, “We need an open and honest account of what happened. This should not be an internal matter for the Church because it goes to the heart of its inability to confront sexual abuse in a frank and honest manner. Cardinal O’Brien was responsible for the supervision of priests and if he was culpable in any way, he would have been compromised when it came to addressing child abuse in his diocese. Openness on this issue will provide the Catholic Church with an opportunity to examine failings so as to ensure that abuse is never tolerated at any level.”

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VATICAN CITY
Huffington Post

Michelangelo Signorile

The news that the UK’s most senior Catholic cleric, the anti-gay Cardinal Keith O’Brien, has resigned over allegations of unwanted sexual advances on priests, combined with last week’s reports of a secret gay cabal within the Vatican that supposedly pushed Pope Benedict to resign, is explosive. The stunning news certainly bolsters the argument that the Catholic Church is in crisis and that the pope’s resignation is reflective of that fact, but it’s important to separate the sensationalism in this rapidly developing story, not to mention the anti-gay bias, from the facts and the probabilities.

First off, the idea that an all-powerful “gay lobby” forced Pope Benedict to resign, as some of the international media reports have insinuated, is pretty ludicrous. If there really were such an influential gay cabal, you’d better believe that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger would not have become pope in the first place, nor would the Vatican be such a repository of blood-curdling homophobia.

But it would not be surprising if there were some truth to the report in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that three Vatican cardinals conducted an investigation focusing on the existence of many gay men in the Vatican and produced a report on their findings. The Vatican has angrily dismissed the idea that a gay cabal led to Benedict’s resignation, but it has not outright denied the existence of that investigative report. If the report had anything to do with Benedict’s stepping down, it is probably that at 85 years old, he is not up to the task of purging the Vatican and the church of the secret gays whom the Vatican sees as the cause of its problems (in addition to dealing with the corruption, financial mismanagement and leaks inside the Vatican). But make no mistake: That would certainly be the plan, and, if true, it will be left to the next pope.

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VATICAN CITY
National Catholic Reporter

by John L. Allen Jr. ,Joshua J. McElwee | Feb. 25, 2013

Rome —
Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien, the archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh in Scotland who has been accused of inappropriate sexual relations with priests, has resigned as archbishop and has indicated he will not partake in the election of the next pope.

News of O’Brien’s resignation came Monday in a press release from his diocese, which said the cardinal, who turns 75 in March, had submitted his resignation to the pope in November.

“Given the imminent Vacant See, the Holy Father has now decided to accept the said resignation definitively,” stated the release from the Scottish archdiocese.

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VATICAN CITY
National Catholic Reporter

by John L. Allen Jr. ,Joshua J. McElwee | Feb. 25, 2013

Rome —
Pope Benedict XVI has given the college of cardinals authority to change the date of the upcoming conclave to elect his successor, the Vatican announced Monday.

The pope has signed a motu propio on the issue, setting aside parts of a previous mandate from Pope John Paul II governing the working of a conclave, said Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesperson, at a press conference.

With a potential date for the concave now in the cardinals’ hands, it is unknown when they will choose to meet to elect Benedict’s successor.

Lombardi said the earliest a date for the conclave might be known is March 1, when the cardinals will first meet following Benedict’s resignation.

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VATICAN CITY
National Catholic Reporter

by Joshua J. McElwee | Feb. 25, 2013

Rome —
Besides giving the College of Cardinals authority to change the date of the upcoming conclave to elect his successor, the Vatican on Monday specified other rules for the secret vote, including the penalty of excommunication for those who share inside information.

The Vatican announced Monday Pope Benedict XVI had issued a motu propio, or administrative order, regarding the conclave. It comes after some cardinals raised the question of whether the college could move up the date at which it will elect the pope’s successor.

The earliest date for the conclave had previously been set at 15 days following Pope Benedict’s formal resignation Thursday.

“The College of Cardinals is … granted the faculty to anticipated the beginning of the Conclave if all the Cardinal electors are present as well as the faculty to defer, for serious reasons, the beginning of the election for a few days more,” the order states.

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UNITED STATES
WGBH

[with audio]

By Anne Mostue

Catholicism in America can be described in various ways: in numbers, movements and emotion.

“I go every holy day of obligation,” said one area Catholic. “It means a lot to me, to take part in the sacraments.”

But approximately one third of those who say they were raised Catholic are no longer practicing the religion. That’s according to the Pew Religious Landscape Survey. “Disconnect” is one word used by Jim Crowley, a 62-year-old Brighton resident, who says he’s drifted from the parish of his childhood.

“Twelve years of schooling right over there, St. Columbkille’s,” Crowley said.

Crowley stopped going to Church in high school, but still went through the sacraments of confirmation and marriage in the church.

“I became over the years more spiritual than religious, so I don’t follow a lot of the orchestrated dictates and I don’t agree with a lot of their policies and procedures,” he said. “Not allowing women, not allowing priests to marry. So I never became angry at God, I just became fed up with the people he left in charge.”

Crowley said he isn’t referring to the sex abuse scandal, just leadership and dogma in general. He, along with many Catholics, are questioning whether the church is relevant in a country that’s increasingly accepting gay marriage, divorce, and women in positions of power. In fact, Pew research shows that the sex abuse crisis has little to do with Catholics leaving the faith. Seventy-one percent of those interviewed in 2007 said they drifted away from the church because it wasn’t meeting their spiritual needs. That is precisely the target audience of Catholics Come Home, a campaign started by Catholic lay people. …

But the campaign faces scrutiny, especially from those who want the Vatican and church leaders to take more responsibility for the ongoing sexual abuse crisis.

“Apologies have been made,” said Terry McKiernan, founder of the website BishopAccountability.org, and a practicing Catholic himself. “But if you look at the CatholicsComeHome.org website, or if you go to most of the diocesan websites and look at how they’re trying to entice people to come home, the sexual abuse crisis is for the most part invisible. Their approach has been to pretend that it’s all over, it’s been dealt with, move along, it will be fine. And I think they’re making a huge mistake.”

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UNITED STATES
National Catholic Reporter

by John L. Allen Jr. | Feb. 25, 2013

Rome —
John Allen is offering a profile each day of one of the most frequently touted papabili, or men who could be pope. The old saying in Rome is that he who enters a conclave as pope exits as a cardinal, meaning there’s no guarantee one of these men actually will be chosen. They are, however, the leading names drawing buzz in Rome these days, ensuring they will be in the spotlight as the conclave draws near. The profiles of these men also suggest the issues and the qualities other cardinals see as desirable heading into the election.

Although the election of a pope is in many ways a carefully scripted process, the closest thing to a wild card this time around may well be 68-year-old Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna, Austria.

Depending on who’s doing the handicapping, the erudite Dominican is either an obvious, slam-dunk contender, or somebody who’s basically taken himself out of the running.

Schönborn certainly has the right pedigree for the job. A member of the ancient Austrian noble family of Schönborn-Buchheim-Wolfstahl, he’s one of two cardinals and 19 archbishops, bishops, priests, and religious sisters his family has produced. He’s not even the first Schönborn to be the primate of the Austrian church; that honor fell to his great-great uncle, Cardinal Franz Graf Schönborn, who led the Austrian episcopacy under the old Austro-Hungarian empire from his position as the archbishop of Prague. (He had previously been the bishop of Budweis – hence he was, believe it or not, a “Budweiser”).

Schönborn studied theology under then-Fr.Joseph Ratzinger in Regensburg, Germany, in the 1970s, and later taught at the prestigious Swiss University of Friborg. He served as general editor of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

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VATICAN CITY
Huffington Post

Reuters | By Philip Pullella Posted: 02/25/2013

VATICAN CITY, Feb 25 (Reuters) – A senior cleric resigned under duress on Monday and Pope Benedict took the rare step of changing Vatican law to allow his successor to be elected early, adding to a sense of crisis around the Roman Catholic Church.

With just three days left before Benedict becomes the first pope in some six centuries to step down, he accepted the resignation of Britain’s only cardinal elector, Archbishop Keith O’Brien, who was to have voted for the next pope.

O’Brien, who retains the title of cardinal, has denied allegations that he behaved inappropriately with priests over a period of 30 years, but said he was quitting the job of archbishop of Edinburgh.

He could have attended the conclave despite his resignation because he is still a cardinal under 80, but said he would stay away because he did not want media attention to be focused on himself instead of the process of choosing the next leader of the 1.2 billion-member Church.

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UNITED KINGDOM
Slate

By Abby Ohlheiser

Posted Monday, Feb. 25, 2013

Another week, another headache for the Catholic Church: Top British Cardinal Keith O’Brien has stepped down as Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, just one day after a British paper reported on “allegations of inappropriate behaviour” against the cardinal.

According to the Observer, four current and former priests from O’Brien’s diocese have reported the former archbishop to the Vatican and demanded his resignation. Here’s the paper with more details on the complaints, which have been contested by the cardinal’s office:

It is understood that the first allegation against the cardinal dates back to 1980. The complainant, who is now married, was then a 20-year-old seminarian at St Andrew’s College, Drygrange, where O’Brien was his “spiritual director”. The Observer understands that the statement claims O’Brien made an inappropriate approach after night prayers…In a second statement, “Priest A” describes being happily settled in a parish when he claims he was visited by O’Brien and inappropriate contact between the two took place…In a third statement, “Priest B” claims that he was starting his ministry in the 1980s when he was invited to spend a week “getting to know” O’Brien at the archbishop’s residence. His statement alleges that he found himself dealing with what he describes as unwanted behaviour by the cardinal after a late-night drinking session…”Priest C” was a young priest the cardinal was counselling over personal problems. Priest C’s statement claims that O’Brien used night prayers as an excuse for inappropriate contact.

The Roman Catholic Church’s media office in Scotland issued a statement indicating that O’Brien tendered his resignation on Feb. 18 and had previously indicated his intention to retire by his 75th birthday in mid-March. The cardinal didn’t address the allegations in his acknowledgment of the pope’s acceptance of his resignation on Monday. But, notably, he won’t participate in the selection of Pope Benedict XVI’s successor, despite still being a cardinal young enough to join the Conclave. According to the National Catholic Reporter, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi declined to comment on the resignation at a news conference on Monday. The English translator at the Vatican, however, essentially offered papal procrastination as an explanation on the timing: “Because of the date of the pope’s resignation, some things were held up a bit,” Thomas Rosica said.

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VATICAN CITY
NBC News

[with video]

By Erin McClam, Staff Writer, NBC News

A potentially explosive report into embarrassing leaks from the Vatican will be seen by only two people — Pope Benedict XVI and the man who succeeds him.

Italian newspapers have already angered the Vatican by suggesting that the report found evidence of corruption, blackmail and a gay sex ring, and that it triggered the Benedict’s decision earlier this month to give up the papacy.

The Vatican said in a statement Monday that Benedict, who commissioned the report on leaks from three cardinals, is the only person who knows its contents and will make them available only to the next pope.

The pontiff also praised the cardinals for showing, “given the limitation sand imperfections of the human component of each institution, the generosity, honesty and dedication of those who work in the Holy See.”

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VATICAN CITY
Sky News

The Vatican says a secret report on a leaks scandal in 2012 had revealed human “imperfections” in the running of the Catholic Church and would be shown exclusively to the future pope, not to voting cardinals.

“The Holy Father has decided that the documents, which only he has seen, will be exclusively available to his successor,” Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said at a media conference.

Italian media reports had suggested cardinals set to vote in a new pope once Benedict XVI has resigned would be given access to the report.

The Pope met on Monday with the cardinals who investigated the so-called “Vatileaks” scandal, Lombardi said.

The run-up to next month’s conclave to elect a successor to Benedict has seen new scandals and allegations emerge, including claims of “inappropriate behaviour” on the part of one of the cardinal electors, Keith O’Brien of Britain.

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WISCONSIN
Channel 3000

Author: William R. Wineke, Special to Channel 3000

Published On: Feb 25 2013

Pope Benedict XV1 enters his final week as the world’s only absolute monarch this week and the 100 or so Roman Catholic cardinals who share in the church’s leadership are preparing to choose his successor.

In doing so, they will find – I expect – both tactical and strategic challenges.

As in any organization, the tactical decisions those cardinals make will make the news and the strategic decisions will make the difference.

The tactical decision is relatively easy: The cardinals will choose a new pope. In theory, they could choose almost anyone; in practice, they will choose someone from among their small number. And they will choose someone who pretty closely reflects Benedict’s philosophy. They will do so because he had a hand in elevating them to their present positions of honor.

The strategic decisions are far more difficult. The cardinals will take the first steps toward determining whether the underlying theological concepts of the church still make sense.

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VATICAN CITY
Vatican Information Service

Vatican City, 25 February 2013 (VIS) – Following is the text of the communique published this morning by the Press Office of the Holy See:

“This morning, the Holy Father received in audience Cardinal Herranz, Cardinal Tomko, and Cardinal De Giorgi, members of the Commission of Cardinals appointed to investigate into the leak of reserved documents, accompanied by the commission’s secretary, Fr. Luigi Martignani O.F.M.Cap.”

“Upon finishing their assigned task, His Holiness wished to thank them for the useful work they carried out, expressing satisfaction with the outcome of the investigation. In fact, the report revealed, along with the limitations and imperfections of a human nature that are found in every organization, the generosity, uprightness, and dedication of those working in the Holy See at the service of the mission entrusted to the Roman Pontiff by Christ.”

“The Holy Father has decided that the results of the report, the contents of which are known only to His Holiness, will be made available exclusively to the new pontiff.”

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VATICAN CITY
Vatican Information Service

Vatican City, 25 February 2013 (VIS) – In an unofficial translation of the Apostolic Letter in the form of a Motu Proprio by Holy Father Benedict XVI and dated 22 February, following are a few amendments concerning the election of the Roman Pontiff.

“With the Apostolic Letter ‘De aliquibus mutationibus in normis de electione Romani Ponteficis’ given as a Motu Proprio in Rome on 11 June 2007 in the third year of my pontificate, I established some norms that, rescinding those prescribed in no. 75 of the Apostolic Constitution ‘Universi Dominici Gregis’ promulgated by my predecessor Blessed John Paul II, have re-established the regulation, sanctioned by tradition, according to which a two thirds majority of the votes of the Cardinal electors present is always required for the valid election of the Roman Pontiff.”

“Considering the importance of ensuring the best implementation of what is concerned, albeit with a different significance, regarding the election of the Roman Pontiff, in particular a more certain interpretation and execution of some provisions, I establish and prescribe that some norms of the Apostolic Constitution ‘Universi Dominici Gregis’, as well as what I myself set forth in the above-mentioned Apostolic Letter, be replaced with the following norms:

35. “No Cardinal elector can be excluded from active or passive voice in the election of the Supreme Pontiff, for any reason or pretext, with due regard for the provisions of No. 40 and No. 75 of this Constitution.”

37. “I furthermore decree that, from the moment when the Apostolic See is lawfully vacant, the Cardinal electors who are present must wait fifteen full days for those who are absent before beginning the Conclave; however, the College of Cardinals is also granted the faculty to anticipated the beginning of the Conclave if all the Cardinal electors are present as well as the faculty to defer, for serious reasons, the beginning of the election for a few days more. But when a maximum of twenty days have elapsed from the beginning of the vacancy of the See, all the Cardinal electors present are obliged to proceed to the election.”

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UNITED STATES
Christian Catholicism

Jerry Slevin

The Pope is treating Cardinals as obedient pups, even trained seals, not as successors to the Apostles. He springs on them suddenly his move to a nearby convent with Georgeous Georg, then tells them they cannot read the very relevant secret report about Vatican scandals, then tells the UK’s sole representative he cannot vote and finally (so far) tells the rest of the voting Cardinals he is cutting down the voting period. Of course, the Vatican Cardinal clique has likely had plenty of time to scheme for their candidate, as they watched the papal convent being reconstructed over several months. Collegiality or servitude? The effects of the early lessons the German Shepherd learned in his formation as a young recruit in Hitler’s Wehrmacht are becoming more evident daily. Will Cardinals play dead or bark back? Or will they just let the prosecutors take conrol? Cardinal Dolan already objected to shortening the pre-Conclave period. Will others now join him?

Increasing numbers of Cardinals seem to be facing serious criminal prosecution risks that likely could increase rapidly unless the Vatican is reformed promptly and broadly. Last year, Philly’s Cardinal Bevilacqua avoided almost imminent prosecution by dying first and his top aide is in prison. Prosecutors and jurors will likely no longer give Cardinals the benefit of the doubt and the media is aggressively reporting Cardinals’ sins more often. The next Pope must confront these risks honestly and openly or the risk of imprisonment will almost surely only increase for Cardinals worldwide. The next Pope must require that abuse survivors are treated justly and that children are protected effectively. He must assure that hierarchical wrongdoers are exposed, removed and punished transparently and promptly. He must end the financial scandals; not just ship a key financial player to South America. These pressing imperatives require new leadership and real reforms now, especially to minimize prosecution risks..

In the past week, Catholic scholar, Hans Kung, Dominican priest, Matthew Fox, and Oxford historian, Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch, have weighed in on the current crisis. Their brief assessments must be listened to, or some Cardinals will likely be prosecuted sooner rather than later.

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UNITED KINGDOM
Los Angeles Times

By Janet Stobart
February 25, 2013

LONDON — Britain’s most senior Catholic cleric resigned his position Monday, 24 hours after allegations against him by four priests of “inappropriate behavior” dating back 30 years were published in a national newspaper.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the Catholic primate of Scotland, contested the allegations and is reported to be seeking legal advice, but in a surprise move said he would be stepping down immediately as archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh.

He also said he would not participate in the election of the successor to Pope Benedict XVI. Elevated to cardinal in 2003, O’Brien would have been Britain’s only representative at the conclave next month that will elect the next pope, following Benedict’s resignation. Although he stepped down as archbishop, he remains a cardinal, with full voting rights to participate in the conclave.

The cardinal’s statement made no mention of the allegations against him. But, he said: “I also ask God’s blessing on my brother cardinals who will soon gather in Rome to elect his successor. I will not join them for this conclave in person. I do not wish media attention in Rome to be focused on me –- but rather on Pope Benedict XVI and on his successor. However, I will pray with them and for them that, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, they will make the correct choice for the future good of the church.”

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UNITED KINGDOM
MSN

Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the UK’s most senior Catholic cleric, has resigned with immediate effect. He is facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour from three priests and a former priest, as reported in the Observer newspaper.

He was the only British Roman Catholic cleric able to vote in the upcoming conclave electing Pope Benedict XVI’s successor.

The 74-year-old, who is Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, was created and proclaimed a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in October 2003.

The cleric was born in Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

He obtained a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and mathematics from the University of Edinburgh and a diploma in education.

On 3 April 1965 he was ordained a priest.

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UNITED KINGDOM
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

Posted by David Clohessy on February 25, 2013

We are grateful that Vatican officials have confirmed that “the Pope is informed about the (O’Brien) problem and the question is now in his hands.” We implore Pope Benedict to take firm, clear and prompt action.

Pope Benedict accepting O’Brien’s retirement would be a weak cop out. It would show that within the church hierarchy, there’s still more sympathy for the victimizers than for the victims.

There are now 116 electors. None of them are indispensable. If men like O’Brien and Mahony and Brady love the church, they should stay home. But even if they do, a papal punishment is still in order. Youngsters are safe when those who commit or conceal abuses are publicly punished, not when they’re allowed to quietly and voluntarily step aside.

By skipping mass, avoiding interviews and apparently hiring a lawyer, even though he faces no lawsuits – O’Brien is acting like he’s guilty. (We can’t immediately recall a single instance in which a cleric has faced four accusers and eventually been found not guilty of sexual misconduct.)

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VATICAN CITY
Huffington Post

By NICOLE WINFIELD and GREGORY KATZ
02/25/13

VATICAN CITY — Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Britain’s highest-ranking Catholic leader, said Monday he wouldn’t take part in the conclave to elect the next pope after being accused of improper conduct with priests – an unprecedented first head to roll in the mudslinging that has followed Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to resign.

Benedict accepted O’Brien’s resignation as archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh – submitted back in November because he is due to turn 75 next month, the normal retirement age for bishops. But simultaneously, O’Brien issued a statement Monday saying he would also skip the conclave because he didn’t want to become the focus of media attention at such a delicate time for the church.

O’Brien has said through his spokesman that he is contesting allegations made Sunday in a British newspaper that three priests and a former priest have filed complaints to the Vatican alleging that the cardinal acted inappropriately with them. The Observer newspaper did not name the priests, but it said their allegations date back to the 1980s. There were no details about the alleged inappropriate behavior.

It was the first time that a cardinal has said he was staying away from a conclave because of personal scandal, and comes in the wake of a grass-roots campaign to shame another cardinal, retired Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony, into refraining from participating because of his role protecting sexually abusive priests.

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VATICAN CITY
CBS News

[with video]

(CBS News) As reports of scandals mark Pope Benedict XVI’s final week as pontiff, questions arise about the efficacy of internal Vatican inquiries into abuse and corruption charges.

Britain’s Cardinal Keith O’Brien announced his resignation Monday morning, amid allegations of inappropriate behavior during his time as a priest. O’Brien denies the charges, but his resignation comes as Benedict is already mired in another controversy. Benedict received a voluminous confidential report Monday complied by three cardinals who investigated the so-called “Vatileaks” scandal.

There has been widespread speculation by Italy’s media that the internal investigation revealed everything from bitter political infighting at the highest levels of the Vatican, to sexual blackmail and a purported “gay lobby” of homosexual prelates within the Church.

Church officials have dismissed the reports as “unsourced and unverifiable,” insisting they have no basis in truth.

Rev. Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo, co-director of The Pontifical North American College in Rome and a CBS News consultant, defended the Church’s ability to police itself without outside interference.

“The Roman Catholic church has a process for dealing with such cases. It is thorough, it is just, it is final,” the papal consultant insisted. “That process is already in motion and Cardinal O’Brien will meet the justice he needs, as will the church, as will the perpetrators, and also those who have been victimized.”

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MILWAUKEE (WI)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

Posted by David Clohessy on February 25, 2013

Jim Stang is a bankruptcy expert. He’s been involved in nine Catholic institutional bankruptcies-more than any other attorney. In 2010, he was named “Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year.” He knows this stuff.

And according to the National Catholic Reporter, Stang says that he has “not faced anywhere near the number of challenges to claims” as in Milwaukee.

In recent years, 574 alleged victims have come forward in response to the Milwaukee archdiocese bankruptcy filing. Catholic officials are trying to toss out 400 of them.

What a particularly cruel “bait and switch” maneuver. Church officials repeatedly claim “We’re seeking bankruptcy so we can be sure we’re able to help ALL victims.” Then, after running mandatory notification ads across Wisconsin urging victims to come forward, church officials now try to disqualify 400 of them.

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UNITED STATES
Syracuse.com

By Elias Groll, Foreign Policy magazine

If a report on Thursday, Feb. 21, in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica is to be believed, Pope Benedict XVI’s recent decision to resign just got a whole lot more interesting. The paper claims that around the time that Pope Benedict decided to step down, the pontiff learned of a faction of gay prelates in the Vatican who may have been exposed to blackmail by a group of male prostitutes in Rome. The revelations allegedly appeared in a 300-page report by three cardinals that the pope commissioned to investigate the release of internal documents by his butler, the so-called “Vatileaks” scandal. (A Vatican spokesman has refused to confirm or deny La Repubblica’s claims, and the internal Vatican report is reportedly stowed away in a papal safe for Pope Benedict’s successor to peruse.)

Seen in the context of Pope Benedict’s career in the Catholic Church, it is difficult to understand why revelations of yet another sex scandal would push him to resign. For over a decade, he has served as the church’s point person for responding to allegations of abuse. From 1985 until his election to the papacy in 2005, Benedict served as the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, a powerful Vatican body charged with policing church doctrine. In 2001, Pope John Paul II transferred responsibility for dealing with the sex scandals enveloping the institution to then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s office. In that role, Ratzinger received tens of thousands of complaints alleging sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests. Those documents often went into lurid detail, and Ratzinger is said to have been deeply affected by the experience.

As a theologian and head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Benedict gained the not-so-flattering nickname “God’s Rottweiler” for his rigid interpretations of doctrine and his stringent enforcement of church rules. In practice, he has frequently displayed a preference — both as a pope and as a cardinal — for confronting predatory priests behind closed doors and protecting the church’s reputation at the expense of public accountability.

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UNITED KINGDOM
The Guardian

Andrew Brown

As O’Brien is accused of misdemeanours the Catholic church must review its damaging strictures on celibacy

They call it a resignation, but it looks to me as if Cardinal Keith O’Brien was pushed before he could even think of jumping. Only yesterday he was defending his position. Then we were told that the Pope was considering it. Now – miraculously – the cardinal has reconsidered.

In any case, this shows how very sensitive the Roman Catholic church has become towards sexual scandal. The long years of trying to tough out problems and of circling the wagons are over, at least in the developed world. Cardinals now get the same treatment as priests.

The other remarkable change shown by this is within the culture of the church. Priests now dare to complain about their superiors through the back channel to Rome provided by the Vatican’s diplomatic service. That is how these allegations were made. There was a time when complaining about your bishop or cardinal to Rome was a one-way ticket to a posting on Craggy Island. There are probably still a great many crimes or misdemeanours that a priest with a sense of self-preservation would hesitate to denounce his superiors for – but it seems that sexual abuse is no longer one of them. This is progress, though slow and belated.

Otherwise, the story illustrates the grotesque and humiliating difficulties that the Roman Catholic church has knotted itself into where sex and gay people are concerned.

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VATICAN CITY
Cardinal Roger Mahony Blogs LA

Vatican City, 24 February 2013 –

More than 200,000 people attended the final Angelus of Benedict XVI’s pontificate. Looking up from St. Peter’s Square, everyone–near and via television–were able to see a more relaxed and hope-filled Pope.

The Holy Father was received with much applause and, before beginning his short meditation, responded saying, “Thank you, thank you very much.” He then commented on the Gospel reading for this second Sunday of Lent, which recounts the Transfiguration of the Lord.

“Luke the Evangelist places particular attention on the fact that Jesus was transfigured as He prayed. His is a profound experience of relationship with the Father during a type of spiritual retreat that Jesus undergoes on a high mountain in the company of Peter, James, and John, the three disciples who are always present at the moments of the Master’s divine manifestation.

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VATICAN CITY
Catholic News Service

By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Scottish Cardinal Keith O’Brien, 74, announced he would not participate in the conclave to elect Pope Benedict XVI’s successor because he did not want media attention focused on him instead of the election of a new pope.

Pope Benedict XVI had accepted the cardinal’s resignation as archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh Feb. 18, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman told reporters Feb. 25.

The British newspaper The Observer reported Feb. 23 that three priests and a former priest had accused the cardinal of “inappropriate conduct” with them going back to the 1980s. Father Lombardi had told reporters Feb. 24 that Pope Benedict had been informed about the accusations and “the issue is now in his hands.”

Cardinal O’Brien, 74, has denied the allegations and, according to his spokesman, is seeking legal advice.

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VATICAN CITY
KOSU

Filed by KOSU News in World News.
February 25, 2013

On the Monday of Pope Benedict XVI’s final week as leader of the Roman Catholic Church begins, there’s word that:

– Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic cleric has resigned and will not be taking part in the conclave of cardinals that will select the next pope. As NPR’s Philip Reeves reports from London, “Cardinal Keith O’Brien’s decision was announced a day after revelations that he behaved inappropriately with several priests.”

– Benedict has, as it was rumored he might, decided to allow the cardinals to begin the conclave earlier than rules require. If all the cardinals who are eligible to vote have gathered at the Vatican, the Associated Press and Reuters report, they won’t be required to wait the 15 days after Benedict’s resignation (which takes effect Thursday) to begin the conclave.

On O’Brien’s resignation, Phil tells our Newscast desk that the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland was the subject of a report in Britain’s Observer. Phil says that “the newspaper alleged he made inappropriate approaches towards three priests and one former priest in the 1980s. Cardinal O’Brien — archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh — strongly denies this. He’s 74, and was due to retire soon.”

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SCOTLAND
Stirling Observer

Feb 25 2013

Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic cleric Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who is facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour, is stepping down with immediate effect.

He said he tendered his resignation some time ago, but added: “The Holy Father has now decided that my resignation will take effect today.”

Cardinal O’Brien, Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, said he would not be joining the conclave to choose a successor to Pope Benedict XVI: “I do not wish media attention in Rome to be focused on me – but rather on Pope Benedict XVI and on his successor.”

In a statement issued by the Scottish Catholic Church, he said: “I have valued the opportunity of serving the people of Scotland and overseas in various ways since becoming a priest.

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UNITED KINGDOM
politics.co.uk

Monday, 25 February 2013

By Alex Stevenson

Cardinal Keith O’Brien appears to have been fired as head of the Catholic church in Scotland, after he allegedly committed “inappropriate acts” with four men.

The 74-year-old had tendered his resignation with a view to leaving office on November 13th. But, following letters of complaint from three priests and one ex-priest working in the diocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, he confirmed in a statement this morning he had been given instructions from the Vatican to leave early.

“The Holy Father has now decided that my resignation will take effect today, February 25th 2013, and that he will appoint an apostolic administrator to govern the archdiocese in my place until my successor as archbishop is appointed,” O’Brien said.

“I have valued the opportunity of serving the people of Scotland and overseas in various ways since becoming a priest.

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SCOTLAND
BBC News

By Deirdre Kelly
BBC Scotland

Cardinal Keith O’Brien had a strong voice in his role as one of the UK’s most senior Roman Catholic clergymen.

The 74-year-old has now stepped down as an archbishop and revealed that he will not travel to Rome to take part in the election of the next Pope.

He had most recently sparked controversy when he locked horns with the Scottish government over its plans to enshrine same-sex marriage in law by 2015.

A year ago the cardinal put on record his view that gay marriage was a “grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right”.

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VATICAN CITY
adnkronos

Vatican City, 25 Feb. (AKI) – Pope Benedict XVI was Monday due to meet with the three cardinals who probed the ‘Vatileaks’ scandal involving the leaking of his personal correspondence to Italian media last year by his former butler.

The pontiff’s meeting with Spain’s cardinal Julian Herranz, Italy’s Cardinal Salvatore De Giorgi and the Slovak cardinal Jozef Tomko came after Italian daily La Repubblica cited an unnamed source last week as claiming Benedict resigned after the cardinals’ report uncovered a ‘gay lobby’ in the Vatican.

The meeting came the same day the pope accepted the resignation of UK’s most senior Catholic cleric Cardinal Keith O’Brien, after he was accused of ‘inappropriate acts’ against priests in a series of allegations by three priests and one former priest that were disclosed by Britain’s Observer newspaper.

O’Brien said on Monday he would not take part in the election for a successor to the 85-year-old pope when he steps down on Thursday. His landmark abdication, on the grounds of old age and frailty, is the first by a pope in 600 years.

Herranz, De Giorgi and Tomko were tasked by Pope Benedict XVI to shed light on the Vatileaks scandal and produced a 300-page dossier presented to the pontiff in two parts – one in July and the other in December.

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UNITED KINGDOM
London Evening Standard

Ross Lydall Chief News Correspondent

Cardinal Keith O’Brien quit after Pope Benedict was told that the outspoken churchman faced allegations from three serving priests and a former priest.

A church statement today confirmed his resignation had been accepted by the Pope with immediate effect. Cardinal O’Brien had originally planned to retire next month on his 75th birthday.

His rapid downfall means that Britain will not have a single member of the conclave of 117 Archbishops voting for Benedict’s successor next month.

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LOS ANGELES (CA)
National Catholic Reporter

by Brian Roewe | Feb. 25, 2013

While Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez said he and his fellow bishops are “committed to moving forward” from the fallout of the late-January release of thousands of pages detailing clergy sex abuse, revelations from a December 2012 finance report have kept the focus on how the archdiocese plans to fund the largest abuse settlement in U.S. history.

“We need to keep praying for those who are hurting. We need to ask again for forgiveness for the sins of the past and for our own failings. And we need to match our prayers for grace with concrete actions of healing and renewal,” Gomez wrote in a Feb. 8 column for his archdiocesan paper, The Tidings.

But how the Los Angeles church advances past its abuse scandal remains tied to how it first deals with its 700-million-pound elephant — $722 million, to be exact, in global settlements agreed upon in 2005 and 2007 with 550-plus victims in clergy abuse cases.

In its 2012 audited finance report of the fiscal year ended June 30, the archdiocese details sources covering settlement sums. Of the total $722 million, nearly $200 million will come from archdiocesan insurers; $162 million from other defendants and their insurers; and $362 million from archdiocesan administrative office resources and bank financings.

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UNITED KINGDOM
BBC News

25 February 2013

Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the most senior Roman Catholic in Britain, has announced he is to step down as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

The announcement came after it emerged that accusations of “inappropriate behaviour” had been made against the cardinal by three priests and one former priest.

Catherine Deveney, who revealed the allegations in The Observer newspaper at the weekend, told BBC Scotland’s John Beattie why she wrote the story.

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SCOTLAND
Glasgow Evening Times

CARDINAL Keith O’Brien today stepped down as leader of Scotland’s Roman Catholics amid allegations that he behaved inappropriately towards four priests.

Pope Benedict XVI accepted his resignation seven days ago but it was only made public today by the Church which released a statement by Britain’s most senior cleric.

The cardinal was expected to leave his post in three weeks times but his departure will only fuel the controversial surrounding his alleged behaviour.

In a prepared statement Cardinal O’Brien said he had lodged his resignation with the Vatican in November ahead of his 75th birthday on March 17.

He said: “The Holy Father has now decided that my resignation will take effect today, 25 February, 2013, and that he will appoint an Apostolic Administrator to govern the Archdiocese in my place until my successor as Archbishop is appointed.

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UNITED KINGDOM
Religion News Service

David Gibson | Feb 25, 2013

Cardinal Keith O’Brien of Scotland resigned on Monday in the wake of explosive charges that he had made “inappropriate” sexual advances to four men, three of them priests and one now a former priest, starting in the 1980s. He said he would skip next month’s conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI.

In a statement, O’Brien said Pope Benedict had accepted his resignation effective immediately, and he appeared to allude to the events surrounding his sudden exit.

“Looking back over my years of ministry: For any good I have been able to do, I thank God. For any failures, I apologize to all whom I have offended,” said the cardinal, who turns 75 next month, which is the mandatory retirement age for bishops. Cardinals retain the right to vote in a conclave until they are 80.

The resignation adds to the air of crisis and tumult that has surrounded the Vatican since Benedict earlier this month announced his intention to resign on Feb. 28, the first pope to voluntarily relinquish the office in 700 years.

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SCOTLAND
BBC News

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said he was saddened to hear of the resignation of Cardinal Keith O’Brien.

Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic stepped down as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh after claims of “inappropriate behaviour” with priests.

Mr Salmond had clashed with the cardinal over his government’s same-sex marriage bill plans.

Cardinal O’Brien said gay marriage was a “grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right”.

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VATICAN CITY
GMA News (Philippines)

February 25, 2013

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican said Monday that a secret report on a leaks scandal in 2012 had revealed human “imperfections” in the running of the Church and would be shown exclusively to the future pope, not to voting cardinals.

“The Holy Father has decided that the documents, which only he has seen, will be exclusively available to his successor,” Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said at a press conference.

“Their work made it possible to detect, given the limitations and imperfections of the human factor of every institution, the generosity and dedication of those who work with uprightness and generosity in the Holy See,” it said.

Italian media reports had suggested cardinals set to vote in a new pope once Benedict XVI has resigned would be given access to the report

The pope met Monday with the cardinals who investigated the so-called “Vatileaks” scandal, Lombardi said.

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UNITED KINGDOM
The Telegraph

[with video]

Telegraph’s Damian Thompson says “the rejoicing of the enemies of traditional Catholicism will be deafening” at the news that Cardinal Keith O’Brien has resigned in the wake of misconduct allegations.

Cardinal O’Brien has stepped down as archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh in the wake of misconduct allegations.

He also said in a statement issued on Monday that he will not attend the papal conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI.

The cardinal said he would not attend because he did not want media attention focused on him during the important session in Rome.

The Vatican accepted his resignation under the code of canon law for reasons of Cardinal O’Brien’s age.

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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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IRELAND
Catholic Herald (United Kingdom)

The Magdalene laundries were used as reformatories where girls were sent without due process. But they were not brutal: anti-Catholics have lied about them

By William Oddie on Monday, 25 February 2013

I usually maintain a general scepticism about the BBC’s reporting of stories involving the Catholic Church, but I have to admit that I missed out on this one, maybe because it has to do with Ireland, and because there have been so many true Irish stories one really didn’t want to contemplate. The saga of the Magdalene laundries has been one I just didn’t want to think about; here we go again, I thought: now, it’s Irish nuns. And last week, the BBC reported (as did everyone else) that another enemy of the Church, the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, has formally apologised on behalf of the state for its role in the story.

Some 10,000 women and girls, reported the BBC, were made to do unpaid manual labour in laundries run by Catholic nuns in Ireland between 1922 and 1996. More than a quarter of those who spent time in the laundries had been sent there by the Irish state.

Mr Kenny apologised to all the women affected.

He said their experiences had cast a “long shadow” over Irish life and that it had been “humbling and inspiring” to meet them. “For 90 years Ireland subjected these women, and their experience, to a profound indifference,” he said. “By any standards it was a cruel and pitiless Ireland, distinctly lacking in mercy”.

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OSTERREICH
Der Tagesspiegel

Österreich – das Land, in dem Heimkinder brutal missbraucht und misshandelt wurden

Mädchen, die als Neue zu den Nonnen ins Heim kamen, mussten die ersten Nächte zum Schlafen in einem Kellerraum unter der Kirche verbringen. Zum Eingewöhnen, hieß es. Das war kein falsches Versprechen. Hilde, heute eine Erwachsene, erinnert sich an das Inventar des ungeheizten, unbeleuchteten Kellers bei den „Schwestern vom guten Hirten“: ein Hocker, ein Kübel, ein schimmelnder Strohsack, ein Plastiknapf für Nahrung. „Man hat uns erzählt, wir sind Teufel“, erinnert sich Hilde, die in den 1960er Jahren Heimzögling in Österreich war. Kinder wie Hilde hatten geschiedene oder alleinerziehende Mütter, hatten kranke Eltern oder waren, wie es heute heißt, „verhaltensauffällig“.

Markus’ Mutter gab ihn mit sechs ins Heim. „Weil ich ein schlimmes Kind war“, sagt der Erwachsene. In der Akte des Jungen war zu lesen, dass die Mutter ihn „hasst“; solche Zeilen lasen sich wie ein Freibrief für Misshandler und Missbraucher.

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DEUTSCHLAND
Eckiger Tisch

[Bittere Bilanz]

Anlässlich des Bilanztreffens des Runden Tisches der Bundesregierung am 20. Februar 2013 in Berlin hat Matthias Katsch diese Rede gehalten.

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GROSSBRITTANIEN
Die Welt

Der Erzbischof von Edinburgh, Kardinal Keith O’Brien, ist zurückgetreten. Auch an der Papstwahl nimmt er nicht teil. Zuvor war über “unangemessenes Verhalten” gegenüber Priestern berichtet worden.

Der ranghöchste Würdenträger der katholischen Kirche in Großbritannien, Kardinal Keith O’Brien, ist zurückgetreten. Das teilte die katholische Kirche von Schottland am Montag mit. Papst Benedikt XVI. habe das Rücktrittsgesuch bereits am 18. Februar angenommen, hieß es in der Mitteilung, die auf Berichte über “unangemessenes Verhalten” O’Briens im Umgang mit Glaubensbrüdern folgte. O’Brien selbst teilte mit, der Papst habe den Rücktritt O’Briens als Erzbischof von Edinburgh und Saint Andrews auf den 25. Februar festgesetzt.

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GROSSBRITTANIEN
Zeit

Das Oberhaupt der Katholiken in Großbritannien, O’Brien, hat nach Belästigungsvorwürfen sein Amt niedergelegt. An der Wahl des neuen Papstes wird er nicht teilnehmen.

Der ranghöchste Würdenträger der Katholischen Kirche in Großbritannien, Kardinal Keith O’Brien, ist nach Vorwürfen “unangemessenen” Verhaltens gegenüber jungen Priestern zurückgetreten. Er habe das Amt des Erzbischofs von St. Andrews und Edinburgh niedergelegt, teilte das Erzbistum mit. Papst Benedikt XVI. habe das Rücktrittsgesuch bereits am 18. Februar angenommen, hieß es.

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GROSSBRITTANIEN
Spiegel

Von Annette Langer

Vorwürfe, Dementi, Rücktritt: Kardinal Keith O’Brien, einer der führenden katholischen Geistlichen in Großbritannien, ist zurückgetreten. Vier Priester hatten sich über ihn beschwert. Er habe sich “unangemessen” verhalten, heißt es. O’Brien wird damit nicht an der Papstwahl teilnehmen.

Edinburgh/Hamburg – Jetzt also Keith O’Brien. Noch am Freitag plauderte der Kardinal mit BBC-Reporter Glenn Campbell darüber, dass der Zölibat abgeschafft werden müsse. Dass es vielen Priestern schwerfalle, ohne Frau und Kinder zu leben. Jetzt ist der 74-Jährige von seinem Amt als Erzbischof von St. Andrew’s und Edinburgh zurückgetreten. Der Grund: Er soll sich “unangemessen” verhalten haben. Ein ehemaliger und drei aktive Priester aus seiner Diözese hatten sich beim Apostolischen Nuntius in Großbritannien über den Geistlichen beschwert und seine Entlassung gefordert.

Die britische Wochenzeitung “Observer” hatte die Beschwerden öffentlich gemacht – obwohl unklar bleibt, welcher Art die mutmaßlichen Übergriffe gewesen sein sollen. Einer der Priester war dem Bericht zufolge 20 Jahre alt und Seminarist im St. Andrew’s College im schottischen Drygrange, als ihm O’Brien nach dem Nachtgebet Avancen machte. Ähnlich soll es einem anderen Geistlichen nach einem Trinkgelage in der Residenz des Erzbischofs ergangen sein.

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GROSSBRITANNIEN
Spiegel

Der ranghöchste Katholik in Großbritannien muss sein Amt aufgeben: Der schottische Erzbischof O’Brien hat nach Belästigungsvorwürfen seinen Rücktritt bekanntgegeben. Mehrere Priester berichten, er habe sich ihnen in “unangemessener Weise” genähert.

Hamburg – In den kommenden Wochen hätte Kardinal Keith O’Brien eigentlich den neuen Papst wählen sollen. Doch daraus wird nichts: Der 74-Jährige tritt als Erzbischof von St. Andrews und Edinburgh zurück. Laut Vatikan hat Papst Benedikt XVI. das Gesuch bereits angenommen.

Er werde nicht an dem Konklave teilnehmen, weil er in dieser wichtigen Zusammenkunft keine Medienaufmerksamkeit auf seine Person lenken wolle, heißt es in einer Mitteilung O’Briens. Er wäre der einzige britische Geistliche des Konklaves gewesen.

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UNITED KINGDOM
The Guardian

Pope’s statement on Cardinal Keith O’Brien’s resignation

The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has accepted on the 18 February 2013 the resignation of His Eminence Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien from the pastoral governance of the archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. This information will be announced and published in the Osservatore Romano of Monday 25 February 2013.

The cardinal had already presented last November his resignation in view of his 75th birthday on 17 March 2013, and it was accepted by the Holy Father with the formula “nunc pro tunc” (now for later). Given the imminent vacant see, the Holy Father has now decided to accept the said resignation definitively.

O’Brien’s statement reacting to the acceptance of his resignation

Approaching the age of 75 and at times in indifferent health, I tendered my resignation as archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh to Pope Benedict XVI some months ago. I was happy to know that he accepted my resignation “nunc pro tunc” – (now – but to take effect later) on 13 November 2012. The Holy Father has now decided that my resignation will take effect today, 25 February 2013, and that he will appoint an apostolic administrator to govern the archdiocese in my place until my successor as archbishop is appointed. In the meantime I will give every assistance to the apostolic administrator and to our new archbishop, once he is appointed, as I prepare to move into retirement.

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CALIFORNIA
CNN

By Wayne Drash, CNN

(CNN) – Told by two families that a visiting priest was suspected of molesting their children in 1988, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles did not immediately notify police. Instead, Cardinal Roger Mahony’s right-hand man alerted the priest – a heads-up that allowed him to flee the country for Mexico.

He remained in the priesthood there for another 21 years, allegedly continuing to molest. He has denied the accusations and remains a fugitive.

Newly released church documents show the behind-the-scenes machinations of top officials within the Los Angeles archdiocese making decisions on how to deal with pedophile priests, hindering police investigations and saying, in private, something completely different than what they said in public.

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OHIO/PENNSYLVANIA
Click on Detroit

TOLEDO, Ohio –
An attorney says about 50 more people have come forward to say they were sexually abused at schools in Ohio and Pennsylvania by a Franciscan brother who killed himself in January.

Attorney Mitchell Garabedian said Sunday that the accusers say the abuse happened between 1982 and 2007.

Authorities say 62-year-old Brother Stephen Baker stabbed himself at a western Pennsylvania monastery after the disclosure of financial settlements in 11 alleged abuse cases in Warren, Ohio.

Garabedian says the latest claims come from people who went to school in Warren and those who went to another school in Johnstown, Pa., where Baker taught and coached.

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PENNSYLVANIA/OHIO
CT Post

By JOHN SEEWER, Associated Press

Sunday, February 24, 2013

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — About 50 more people have come forward to say they were sexually abused at Catholic schools in Pennsylvania and Ohio by a Franciscan brother who killed himself in January, said an attorney who settled 11 alleged abuse cases against the friar.

Brother Stephen Baker, 62, stabbed himself in the heart at a western Pennsylvania monastery on Jan. 26, a little over a week after the disclosure of financial settlements in alleged abuse cases in Warren, Ohio. A coroner told the Altoona Mirror that Baker left a short note apologizing for his actions.

The new accusers have alleged in recent weeks that they were abused between 1982 and 2007, attorney Mitchell Garabedian said Sunday. Some said Baker abused them even after he left teaching in 2000 when he would attend school events in Johnstown, Pa., Garabedian said.

The latest allegations come from people in 12 states who went to school in Warren or were either middle school or high school students in Johnstown, where Baker taught and coached, Garabedian said.

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PENNSYLVANIA
WJAC

By Melanie Gillespie

More people are coming forward and claiming sexual abuse by a Franciscan Friar.

An attorney involved in the case said 50 more people reported abuse by Brother Stephen Baker between 1982 and 2007.

Brother Baker stabbed himself inside a Blair County Monastery in January after 11 alleged abuse cases in Ohio were settled and more allegations surfaced from Bishop McCort.

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OHIO/PENNSYLVANIA
WKBN

[with video]

The mother of one of Brother Stephen Baker’s alleged victims stood with Dr. Robert Hoatson of Road to Recovery to talk about the more than 50 new victims that have come forward, since January 16th, alleging wrong doing by Brother Baker.

Hoatson said the total now stands at about 65 victims covering Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Sunday’s press conference was held in front of Warren’s John F. Kennedy High School, where some of the behavior is said to have occurred.

“We take this time to applaud the courage of the nearly 65 men and women who have stepped forward to say enough is enough, ” Hoatson said the latest victims are not ready to go public, but felt compelled to come forward. “They have contacted either Road To Recovery or Mr. Garabedian in Boston.”

Joining Hoatson was Barbara Aponte. She claims her son, Luke Bradesku, was one of Baker’s victims. Bradesku committed suicide in 2003, and she believes the emotional turmoil from the abuse was the reason her son took his own life.

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VATICAN CITY
Fox 2

(CNN) – New controversy is rocking the vatican in benedict the 16th’s final days as pope. The pontiff came out of a pre-lenten retreat Saturday.

On February 11 Pope Benedict the sixteenth announced shocked the world that he was stepping down at the end of the month, too old and too tired to carry out his official duties.

But, a report first broken in the Rome Daily, La Repubblica, suggests his reason for resigning was far more explosive: Shock at the discovery of a network of gay priests at the Vatican blackmailed by a network of male prostitutes.

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VATICAN CITY
The Star-Ledger

By The Associated Press
on February 23, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI has reshaped the papacy simply by giving it up. But how?

As the first pontiff in six centuries to step down, Benedict has carved a new path for his successors who decide they cannot rule for life. But scholars say the repercussions could reach beyond just changing how pontiffs leave to ultimately shape perceptions about the authority and significance of the pontificate.

“A lot of what it will mean has to do with what subsequent popes do. Does this become a precedent for future popes to follow or not?” said Phillip Thompson, executive director of the Aquinas Center of Theology at Emory University.

Benedict’s pontificate will end at 8 p.m. Thursday. He plans no role in the conclave that will choose the next pontiff, and will retreat to a life of prayer in a monastery behind Vatican walls. His decision shocked the church. But papal resignations are expected to become more likely over time because of extended lifespans and the growing demands of the pontificate, Thompson said.

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UNITED KINGDOM
Bloomberg

By Rodney Jefferson – Feb 25, 2013

Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Britain’s most senior Catholic cleric, stepped down amid allegations he behaved inappropriately toward priests in the 1980s.

O’Brien, 74, has denied any wrongdoing. The archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh had handed in his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI on Nov. 13 and said in a statement the pontiff had decided to accept it with effect today.

“Approaching the age of 75 and at times in indifferent health, I tendered my resignation some months ago,” O’Brien said in the statement on the Scottish Catholic media office’s website. “The Holy Father has now decided that my resignation will take effect today and that he will appoint an apostolic administrator to govern the archdiocese in my place.”

The cardinal won’t take part in the conclave that votes on the next pope following Benedict’s decision to step down at the end of this month, the office said.

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UNITED KINGDOM
Reuters

Mon Feb 25, 2013

(Reuters) – Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic cleric, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, said he would not be attending the conclave at the Vatican to choose a successor to Pope Benedict after announcing he was resigning as an archbishop.

“I will not join them (the other cardinals) for this conclave in person. I do not wish media attention in Rome to be focused on me – but rather on Pope Benedict XVI and on his successor,” he said in a statement.

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UNITED KINGDOM
The Guardian

Lizzy Davies and Sam Jones
guardian.co.uk, Monday 25 February 2013

Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who has stepped down as leader of the Roman Catholic church in Scotland, acquired a reputation for speaking his mind on homosexuality, abortion and secularism.

But it is for his resignation that he is likely to be best remembered. On Monday morning, a day after reports emerged that three serving priests and one former priest had accused him of “inappropriate acts” towards them, he resigned, saying: “The Holy Father has now decided that my resignation will take effect today.”

The decision to step down with immediate effect means that O’Brien will not travel to Rome for the conclave to elect the next pope, leaving the UK without a vote in who will succeed Benedict XVI. His departure also leaves traditional and conservative British Catholics without one of their most outspoken leaders.

Last Friday, in an interview that surprised many, the cardinal appeared to be softening his line, suggesting that Catholic priests ought to able to marry and have children, and saying the demand for celibacy was not of “divine origin”.

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UNITED KINGDOM
Washington Post

Britain’s top Catholic cleric resigns after accusations of inappropriate behavior

By Anthony Faiola

LONDON — Pope Benedict XVI on Monday accepted the immediate resignation of Britain’s highest-ranking Roman Catholic cleric, effectively forcing Cardinal Keith O’Brien to step down two days after allegations surfaced publicly that he had engaged in inappropriate behavior with priests.

The latest scandal to engulf the church involves one of its most strident conservatives and influential clerics, and comes just weeks before the conclave to select a successor to Benedict, who unexpectedly announced his retirement on Feb. 11.

The nature of the allegations could cast a shadow over the church’s moral authority in Europe – the continent where the church is losing the most ground globally. O’Brien, the head of the church in Scotland, had emerged as a leading voice in Britain against homosexuality. He has described gay marriage as “grotesque” and same-sex couples as “immoral.”

O’Brien has denied the allegations against him — first made public Saturday on the Web site of Britain’s Observer newspaper — and retained legal counsel. But on Monday, he issued a statement saying he was stepping down immediately because of a decision taken by the pope.

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UNITED KINGDOM
NBC News

By John Newland, Staff Writer, NBC News

LONDON — Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic cleric has resigned amid allegations of inappropriate behavior made by priests.

The Vatican said Monday that Pope Benedict XVI had formally accepted the resignation of Cardinal Keith O’Brien, archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh. The Observer newspaper reported Sunday that the Vatican had been notified of allegations of inappropriate behavior stretching back 30 years.

Three priests in Scotland, as well as a former priest, have lodged complaints to the Vatican’s ambassador to Britain and demanded O’Brien’s immediate resignation, according to the newspaper.

The 74-year-old cardinal has contested the claims and said he is taking legal advice.

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