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Priests make sexual allegations against Scottish Cardinal Keith O’Brien

Outspoken anti-gay cardinal named in new inquiry says report

PATRICK COUNIHAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Sunday, February 24, 2013, 7:52 AM

Updated Sunday, February 24, 2013, 7:52 AM

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Cardinal Keith O'Brien

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. The paper reports that 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. His statement claims that O’Brien used night prayers as an excuse for inappropriate contact.

His statement to the nuncio’s office alleges that he engineered at least one other intimate situation.

The claimants are adamant that the cardinal abused his position.

The former priest added: “You have to understand 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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33 Comments

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seanomelb | Feb 25, 2013, 07:27 PM EST

True eiriamach, O'Brien had a severe case ofthrowing stones in a glasshouse.

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eiriamach | Feb 25, 2013, 03:52 PM EST

Isn't he the ONLY British cardinal eligible to vote for the next pope, not just the "top" one? So with his decision not to attend, Scotland and England will not be represented in the conclave?

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pilib04 | Feb 25, 2013, 09:01 AM EST

EphraimKibbey, "the loudest accuser is often the most involved." Your post at 8:50pm Sunday, was right on! Right on target. O'Brien, as the most vociferous and leading opponent of gay marriage and the most homophobic cleric in Scotland and England, turns out to have, wait for it, REALLY did have relations with priests! Yep, you called this one right, Ephraim, you just didn't know what your were hitting on. O'Brien resigned and the Pope has already accepted it. The top British Catholic WILL NOT attend the conclave!

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connemaragirl | Feb 25, 2013, 03:02 AM EST

When I was a teenager my father told me that the old folks used to say that the priests would be the ones that would bring down the Catholic Church,if he knew how he did not go into detail,at the time i knew nothing about homosexuality ,I often think of it now and wish he was still around so I could ask him if he knew more.

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falconflash | Feb 24, 2013, 10:12 PM EST

Liberals encourage people to sin and then want to stone them when they do.

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Woodman | Feb 24, 2013, 10:06 PM EST

He wants priests to be allowed the marry other men? or is it boys?

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SingleDonald | Feb 24, 2013, 09:35 PM EST

In addition, a polite request for a date, which didn't interest the one being asked, should be politely declined. Then, if the supervisor makes life miserable for that person, sexual harassment charges would be appropriate. I'm just saying that consensual dating, after work, should never subject anybody to "discipline". Concerning the Bishop's "total power", over his priests, it is time the Church loosened his control, over his subordinates.

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SingleDonald | Feb 24, 2013, 09:24 PM EST

The concluding paragraph has me thinking. I would not feel "harassed" if I worked for someone like Katie Couric, and she displayed an interest in me. Of course, I would expect her to be a dignified lady, in her approach to me. So long as she was, I would not hesitate going out with her! Now, when a superior is pushy, and CERTAINLY when the sought after person is of a different sexual orientation than the seeker, the approach should be rejected, with an explanation about orientation, if it applies. THEN, if the supervisor persisted, especially in a mean manner, sexual harassment charges should be leveled!

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EphraimKibbey | Feb 24, 2013, 08:50 PM EST

I, too, was all set to smell a RED herring as I began the article, but then I saw the reference to accusations back in the 1980s. As far as I know, even the Vatican can't warp the fabric of Space and Time. As Olovely has stated, the loudest accuser is often the most involved. They feel it shifts suspicion away from themselves but all it does is call our attention to them.

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seanomelb | Feb 24, 2013, 05:57 PM EST

I wonder how many saints were homosexuals or lesbians?? just asking

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olovely | Feb 24, 2013, 05:11 PM EST

It's against Gods laws to practice judgment of your fellow man but it hasn't stopped you, misswhisp. so what consequences do you expect to face and will you be brave enough to endure them?

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Collette2 | Feb 24, 2013, 03:23 PM EST

This would be a worry to the Vatican, when priest's are beginning break ranks. So many would have suffered at the hands of seminary formators, with nowhere to go. The voices of the dead will rise up out of the mouths of the living.

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Maureen Hawkins | Feb 24, 2013, 03:00 PM EST

Mortimer74, the "homofascist" here would seem to be the cardinal. After all, he's the one accused of being homosexual, not his accusers, and he's the one accused of behaving in a fascist fashion. I base this observation on Wikipedia's definition of "facism as an "authoritarian form of government" which "especially once in power, has historically attacked communism, conservatism and parliamentary liberalism, attracting support primarily from the "far right" or "extreme right." That certainly sounds like the Church today, and the cardinal is accused of using the power he holds as a prelate in this "authoritarian" institution to abuse his juniors.

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handsome68 | Feb 24, 2013, 02:59 PM EST

Seanmor is correct to quote the Holy Bible in the context he did. The Ten Commandments are not the Ten Suggestions, although it appears that many would like to make them into that.

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Seanmor | Feb 24, 2013, 02:48 PM EST

Are All clergymen of allclergymen of all faiths reject this sentence of the Holy Bible: "a man shall not lie with another man as mith a woman. For such is an abomination"?. Should all prelates disagree with any biblical quote that condems homosexuality?

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