Cardinal Keith O’Brien apologizes for sexual conduct, asks for forgiveness

O'Briens sin was not that he was gay but the hypocrisy in condemning gays

The hypocrisy is nauseating. Condemning gays for years whilst being gay himself? This is the face of modern do as I say not as I do Catholicism.

What bothered me most about O'Brien's pontificating on a married priesthood was his failure to address full participation of women in the priesthood.

What a despicable person and to think there was the suggestion here, only a few weeks ago, that O'Brien be elected Pope. I am very concerned about the vetting process for Pope.

Seamus - pedophiles do not get that way because they are unmarried. Marriage has nothing to do with it. A married pedophile is still a pedophile.

Cardinal O'Brien is the same guy who has become notorious among Human Rights campaigners for his vigorous homophobic attacks on gay marriage and gay adoptions, calling homosexuality a "grotesque subversion" and "harmful to the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of those involved". Colin MacFarlane, director of Stonewall Scotland, which named O'Brien "bigot of the year" last year, challenged the cleric and the Scottish church to explain why he had not apologised directly to the gay community. "We note with sadness that the cardinal didn't find it in him to apologise to gay people, their families and friends for the harm his vicious and cruel language caused," he said.

*** to clarify my point: not all Priests, Priests invloved in these sick acts ***

It seems that at one point, say from the 50's on, there was some understanding in the pedophile/deranged sexual thinking community that the Catholic Priesthood was where to join, go and apply your trade with impunity. We are way beyond a few "bad apples" as these sickos move in the same circles. They all need tried, put in general population and suffer finally in the same manner as Boston priest Geoghan.

RCC! For God's sake let priests and nuns be allowed to marry. Let women be ordained. Would you deny the Holy Mother saying Mass? Why in Heaven's name, you continue in your stubborn, patriarchal, seventh century mode, is beyond sane contemplation.

I denied it because I was not given the details of my fondling of seminarians which I forgot about. Now that I know more of the details I admit a few indiscretions but of course it was a long time ago, only on a few occasions and everyone will forgive me, particularly the seminarian who left the Church as a result of his trauma. Now I go off in retirement to live comfortably with others cooking my meals, making my bed, washing my clothes and insuring I am very comfortable. There must be some fine estate, well heated and comfortable where I can retire with some Popes blessing!

Who does he think is in a position to forgive him -- any human being? Two victims of his sexual harassment have already expressed pity for him. His confession is big news not only because he is the highest-ranking church official to admit his sexual exploitations, but because his flock has been so loyal to his Church. Today's NY Times report, by John F. Burns, says that O'Brien's "sudden downfall is a major crisis for the church in Scotland, where most of the country’s 750,000 Catholics are of Irish ancestry and live in the central belt between Glasgow and Edinburgh. As migrants or their descendants, they suffered decades of discrimination.... 'It’s possibly, in terms of the internal history of the Church, the biggest crisis in the history of Scottish Catholicism since the Reformation,' said Tom Devine." O'Brien underestimates the redemption he needs.