Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who was forced to stand down last week as Archbishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh has admitted that in the past his sexual conduct fell short of that required for a man of his position. He has apologised to those who have been hurt by his actions and we must allow him at least some credit for that. However this is quite some admission from a senior Roman Catholic churchman and we fear that it may well not be the end of the story. We hope a veil can be drawn over this unsavoury episode but, knowing the modern media as we do, it is difficult to escape a feeling that it might not happen anytime soon. Stories, and particularly stories involving sex, money or the misuse of power, have a habit of running on ad infinitem.
It is interesting that Cardinal O' Brien has himself suggested that the Roman Catholic Church's long standing requirement for clerical celibacy is long overdue for review. We cannot lay the blame for every sex scandal which has racked the Catholic Church at celibacy's door. However we don't doubt that in many cases the demand that priests be celibate (like professed religious) has been a significant contributory factor in such scandals. The world within which the church has to operate has changed a great deal since 1139 and we don't doubt that there is a compelling case for urgent review of the celibacy rule. We hope earnestly that that the new Pope - whoever he is - will give the matter his earnest attention at the earliest possible opportunity.
It is interesting that Cardinal O' Brien has himself suggested that the Roman Catholic Church's long standing requirement for clerical celibacy is long overdue for review. We cannot lay the blame for every sex scandal which has racked the Catholic Church at celibacy's door. However we don't doubt that in many cases the demand that priests be celibate (like professed religious) has been a significant contributory factor in such scandals. The world within which the church has to operate has changed a great deal since 1139 and we don't doubt that there is a compelling case for urgent review of the celibacy rule. We hope earnestly that that the new Pope - whoever he is - will give the matter his earnest attention at the earliest possible opportunity.