Rome urged to inquire into Cardinal O’Brien ‘cronyism’
Catholic critics of the Church in Scotland have urged that a Vatican inquiry into the scandal surrounding Cardinal Keith O’Brien examine an alleged “culture of cronyism” in his archdiocese that lasted for years. Following the cardinal’s weekend confession of impropriety, he faced further accusations yesterday from lay and clerical figures that his sexual escapades might [...]
Cardinal O'Brien facing possible police investigation as it emerges church officials have 'told him to live as a hermit'
Cardinal Keith O’Brien was facing a possible police investigation last night into the sex scandal that has engulfed the church. Police received a formal complaint yesterday against the cardinal, who on Sunday night admitted he had been guilty of sexual misconduct. Last night, it emerged that lawyer Nick Freeman, well-known for representing a string of [...]
Archbishop Philip Tartaglia on the current difficulties facing the Catholic Church in Scotland
Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, Archbishop of Glasgow and ApostolicAdministrator of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh celebratedMass tonight at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Glasgow at a pre-scheduled Lent Station Mass. In his sermon he made reference to the current difficulties facingthe Catholic Church in Scotland. The relevant extracts from his sermonfollow: “This is a sad [...]
Cardinal O'Brien admits: 'My sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me'
The Scottish Catholic Media Office today released this statement from Cardinal Keith 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 [...]
Veteran priest calls for probe into churchmen abuse allegations claiming decades of cover-ups have failed victims
A veteran priest has accused the Catholic Church of decades of cover-up and a conspiracy of silence. Father John Robinson broke ranks yesterday to call for an open investigation into allegations made against Cardinal Keith O’Brien. The 71-year-old West Lothian-based priest called for a forum to hear the claims against the cardinal and other historic [...]
Priests urged to renew pledge to stay celibate
Catholic priests in Scotland should be told either to sign a renewed pledge to remain celibate or asked to leave their posts, according to an adviser to the Vatican. Professor John Haldane, a Roman Catholic academic based at St Andrews University, is proposing the radical step following Cardinal Keith O’Brien’s resignation last week amid claims [...]
O'Brien priest worries that church wants to 'crush' him
A key figure behind allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Cardinal Keith O’Brien has launched a powerful attack on the Catholic church’s response to the complaints, saying he fears the church hierarchy would “crush” him if they could. Last Sunday the Observer revealed that the former priest, along with three serving priests, had reported O’Brien’s behaviour [...]
Drunken parties at the seminary, crushes on young 'pups' and a gay mafia accused of bringing down Britain's top Catholic
Almost invariably, it was late at night by the time the parties started. After dinner and prayers, the residents of St Andrew’s College would gather around candlelit tables in the refectory or head upstairs to the billiard room to talk, drink and laugh into the wee hours. The tight-knit group, mostly in their early 20s, [...]
Drop gay marriage opposition, says Catholic paper
The Tablet, the influential Catholic weekly, has called for the Church to abandon its hostility to gay marriage, explicitly linking its argument to the controversy surrounding the resignation of Cardinal Keith O’Brien. Under the heading “Gay marriage — let’s move on” the magazine argued that while the Church’s case against same-sex union was a good [...]
Scotland’s gay Tory leader Ruth Davidson splits from her partner
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson has split up with her partner of five years Saskia Halcrow, a spokesman has confirmed. A Scottish Conservative spokesman told the Daily Express: “Sadly, Ruth and her partner separated some two months ago and they are now no longer living together.” A party insider said: “There is no one else [...]
