Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who resigned as Britain's most senior Catholic cleric

          03 March 2013

 

 Cardinal Keith O'Brien has admitted that his sexual conduct had at times "fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal

The cardinal, who was Britain's most senior Catholic cleric, stepped down from his post as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh last week, a day after three priests and a former priest made allegations of "inappropriate" behaviour against him.

In a statement issued by the Catholic Church in Scotland tonight, he apologised and asked forgiveness from those he had "offended".

"I wish to take this opportunity to admit that there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal," the statement said.

http://www.sconews.co.uk/news/...the-catholic-church/

I've just been back through the thread and found this. Indeed! Several days before these allegations there was a piece in t'Grauniad about his progressive views. It would be very easy to come up with a CT explaining how they got rid of him because he wasn't following the party line, as it were.

The statement issued in full reads:

 

3 March 2013

Statement from Cardinal O'Brien

"In recent days certain allegations which have been made against me have become public. Initially, their anonymous and non-specific nature led me to contest them.

However, I wish to take this opportunity to admit that there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal.

To those I have offended, I apologise and ask forgiveness.

To the Catholic Church and people of Scotland, I also apologise.

I will now spend the rest of my life in retirement. I will play no further part in the public life of the Catholic Church in Scotland."


ENDS

"below the standard expected" that's a bit of an understatement

My FIL left his country of birth due to a sinister organisation called "The Christian Brothers" and if he was still here he would be banging on about how that was exactly the standard expected.

Bloody Hell - admitted it !!!!

This part of the statement says it all. 

 

"However, I wish to take this opportunity to admit that there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal"

 

It's below those standards but in some way permissible in lower ranks of humanity?! Give me bloody strength! 

He didn't have any choice. #stitchedup Obviously not an approved misbehaver!

I know someone who was also a victim of that brotherhood. 

We should accept  that the church and their  represenatives are detached from normal lives,they live in a cocoon, and they believe that their title,i.e. pastor/priest/vicar means they are decent.So they go on their kiddie fiddling excursions, whilst excluding themselves from any blame,they are hypocrites and liars and always have been and always be as long as  we carry on believing that 'the church' is the same as 'faith'.

 

The church is corrupt and has always been corrupt.

yada yada yada! Where the hell have you been!!! 

Mostly missing you Xochitquetlalilo.xxx

Not enough then!  Welcome back and look in now and again, yeah? 

 

OT. Yes, I agree.

I'll keep my eye on you xyxy,x.

I wouldn't like to generalise. My MIL was brought up in an orphanage, and she had no unkind words to say about the church, or anyone. Whilst FIL wouldn't have anything to do with them, MIL kept her faith until the end.

It's not just the blokes either, the Magdelaine laundries, are a case in point as regards the  the churches  complete disregard for  fellow human beings.

We had a thread on that somewhere downstairs I think.  

And whilst we  are on the topic , I learnt from R.E. in primary school about Christ overturning the tables of the money lenders and rip off merchants, that were plying their trade outside the places of worship.

 

And yet, take a  look at the vatican and it's wealth, and how not one of their tables has been upset, no one is turfing the pope or his enclave out , are they?

 

it's right up there with 'being a little bit pregnant'

Have we had a statement from Sir Tom Farmer yet?

Something like, "Well, bugger me!"?  

  

 Yes...

 

 

Bloody hell, you couldn't make this up.... 

The Catholic clergy needs to be able to marry. That will unclench buttocks enough to look reality in the face.

They were for centuries until they changed the rules. A U.S. priest told me it wasn't about celibacy, but to prevent priests having children who'd inherit their worldly goods - which would divide up church lands and wealth.

I only learned that recently Rosie because of the recent kerfuffle.  Astonishing but it explains such a lot. 

Do priests own anything?

Catholic priest take a vow of poverty/obedience/chastity.

The reason I ask is that various C of E archbishops and bishops, have children, live in palaces and are in charge of many valuable pieces, but these are passed to the next incumbent.

I think it was in reference to the reason that celibacy was instituted for the Catholic clergy back in the day. There was nothing written in the bible that commanded celibacy so it seems it was a way to corral any wealth the church acquired. 

Do we care tho?   we are not a catholic country anyway.

A stack of gay porn.

Gratis.

 

But my Latin's shady.

The quality of an action where the action is willingly provided without any requirement by the provider for compensation or monetary remuneration