A Scottish cardinal who had earlier challenged allegations of sexual impropriety -- claims that once again shined an
international spotlight on alleged sexual abuse involving Roman Catholic clergy -- reversed course Sunday and
apologized.
"I wish to take this opportunity to admit that there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the
standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal," Cardinal Keith O'Brien said in a statement.
Until days ago, O'Brien was the archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh.
He has been dogged by allegations he abused four men studying to be priests in the 1980s.Born in Northern Ireland,
O'Brien moved to Scotland as a child, graduating in 1959 from the University of Edinburgh. Ordained as a priest six
years later at age 29, he later held various positions -- including as a math and science teacher, as well as rector and
spiritual director -- at schools in Scotland, in addition to working as a priest.He was named archbishop in 1985 and
became a cardinal 18 years later.
Catholic population in percentages
Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles, meanwhile, is facing fresh attention over what role he may have played in the
cover-up of sexual abuse by priests.
The Vatican has also been plagued by another scandal in recent days, as Benedict was ending his papacy.
Two Italian publications said Benedict, 85, resigned not because of his advanced age but because of a brewing
scandal over the blackmail of gay priests by male prostitutes in Rome.
Benedict received a 300-page report in December detailing the possible blackmail, la Repubblica newspaper and the
Panorama news weekly reported, citing an unidentified senior Vatican official and dozens of unnamed sources.
The Vatican emphatically denied the allegations, with Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone criticizing a rash of "often
unverified, unverifiable or completely false news stories" as the cardinals prepare for their conclave to select a new pope.
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