Path of renewal

Mistakes, serious insults, pain. But also apologies, mercy, forgiveness: these are some of the words representing the backdrop of the recent episode involving the renunciation of “all rights and privileges associated with being a cardinal” submitted by the archbishop emeritus Keith Patrick O’Brien. Pope Francis has “accepted” this resignation, and invited the Catholic community of Scotland – second-largest in the country in terms of population, with approximately 700thousand faithful, following the Presbyterian one – “to continue with faith along the path of renewal and reconciliation”, that is, to look ahead. “Unprecedented action”. Last week, the Catholic Church of Scotland welcomed Bergoglio’s decision to accept the resignation of Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien from the rights and duties of a cardinal. In a statement addressed to the faithful the Bishops’ Conference described it as an “unprecedented action”, announcing to the Country that “Cardinal O’Brien has now removed himself from the key duties that pertain to the office of Cardinal: the election of any future Pope and the assistance of the Holy Father in the governance of the Universal Church”. He explained that “Cardinal O’Brien will also be reduced to a strictly private life with no further participation in any public, religious or civil events”. Archbishop Leo Cushley of St. Andrews and Edinburgh said: “As most people are aware, Pope Francis is a good and prayerful man whose character embodies justice and mercy. The decision of the Holy Father is fair, equitable and proportionate”. He added: “Cardinal O’Brien’s behaviour distressed many, demoralised faithful Catholics and made the Church less credible to those who are not Catholic. I therefore acknowledge and welcome his apology to those affected by his behaviour and also to the people of Scotland, especially the Catholic community”. The mission of Scicluna. The Bishops’ Conference made known that the announcement of March 20 “follows the decision by Pope Francis to send a personal envoy, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, on a fact-finding mission to Scotland last year. Based upon that investigation -the content of which is fully know only to Pope Francis and Archbishop Scicluna – Pope Francis has reached his canonical conclusion”. Cardinal O’Brien’s decision, the statement goes on, “followed a private discussion with Pope Francis. This was preceded by a period of prayer and penance in order to allow the Cardinal to reflect upon his misconduct”. The misdeeds of which the Cardinal is accused of – sexual abuse on seminarians – date back to some thirty years ago. The episode entered the public domain in 2013, ahead of the Conclave that was to elect Pope Bergoglio. O’Brien did not take part in the College of Cardinals and was soon after removed from his post as archbishop. Pain and regret. Mons. Cushley added: “For my own part, I would like to express sorrow and regret to those most distressed by the actions of my predecessor. I also pay tribute to those who had the courage to come forward to speak to Archbishop Scicluna. I hope now that all of us affected by this sad and regrettable episode will embrace a spirit of forgiveness, the only spirit that can heal any bitterness and hurt that still remains”. Finally, the Scottish Bishops’ Conference made known that card. O’Brien will continue to live outside of Scotland. This arrangement will be reconsidered only in case he might require full-time residential accommodation for the sick. Zero tolerance. On the same day of the provision Keith O’Brien released – through the bishops’ conference – a brief statement to explain the decision that led him to renounce the rights of being a cardinal. “I wish to repeat the apology which I made to the Catholic Church and the people of Scotland some two years ago now on 3rd March 2013. “I then said that there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me. For that I am deeply sorry. I thank Pope Francis for his fatherly care of me and of those I have offended in any way”. He then confirmed: “”I will continue to play no part in the public life of the Church in Scotland; and will dedicate the rest of my life in retirement, praying especially for the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, for Scotland, and for those I have offended in any way”. The ancient, rooted Catholic Community of Scotland, that underwent much suffering over the past years, thus recovers its way among the people with its liturgical, pastoral, charitable activities, with the Gospel as its only guide. While the Vatican reconfirmed its “zero tolerance” approach towards all forms of abuse and prevarication by its ministers, Pope Francis continues the commitment undertaken with determination by Benedict XVI.