Scottish Catholic Observer

Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster, has expressed support for Cardinal Keith O’Brien but said the Church may need to consider some reforms.

Cardinal O’Brien had his resignation accepted by the Pope Benedict XVI yesterday after he was accused of ‘inappropriate’ behaviour, allegations he contests.

Cardinal Murphy O’Connor said he was ‘very surprised’ to hear of the allegations.

“I do not know anything about the details, I am sure that they will be addressed but certainly I was saddened,” he said. “I know Cardinal O’Brien well, so I think it has been very sad. I think that what has happened will for him and for the Church in Scotland have been very damaging. But I think Cardinal O’Brien who is a very honest man… whoever goes in will look at the allegations that have been made and he himself has contested them.”

However Cardinal Murphy O’Connor went on to say that the successor to Pope Benedict would need to take a long hard look at the Church as a whole.

“As you know, there have been troubles in recent years, and scandals,” he said. “Well, this has got to be addressed and especially the pope’s own house has to be put in order.”

In particular he called for a restructuring of the Roman Curia.

“There is no doubt that today there needs to be renewal in the Church, reform in the Church and especially of government: how is this next pope going to govern the Church?” he said. “Quite a lot of bishops and cardinals think that it has got to be done perhaps in a more collegial way, in other words, those who rule the Church. It is not just the pope who rules the Church, it is the pope with the bishops. The pope is essential as a centre of unity and truth but he also cannot rule the Church without real association with the bishops.”

—[email protected]