Cardinal Keith O'Brien's Resignation 'Sad', Says Alex Salmond

Cardinal Keith O'Brien's Resignation 'Sad', Says Alex Salmond

Scotland's First Minister has spoken of his sadness at the resignation of Cardinal Keith O'Brien, whom he described as a "good man for his church and country".

Responding to the announcement that the leader of Scotland's Roman Catholic Community is stepping down with immediate effect, Alex Salmond said: "I hear the news of Cardinal O'Brien's resignation with the greatest sadness.

"In all of my dealings with the Cardinal, he has been a considerate and thoughtful leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, stalwart in his faith but constructive in his approach.

"It would be a great pity if a lifetime of positive work was lost from comment in the circumstances of his resignation.

"None of us know the outcome of the investigation into the claims made against him but I have found him to be a good man for his church and country."

In his statement, the First Minister referred to the visit of Pope Benedict to Scotland in 2010, which he described as a highlight of O'Brien's cardinalship.

Cardinal O'Brien is facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour made by a newspaper.

Gay rights group Stonewall, which voted the cardinal "bigot of the year" last year for his comments on issues including same-sex marriage, also commented on his resignation.

Stonewall Scotland director Colin Macfarlane said: "We trust there will now be a full investigation into the serious allegations made against Cardinal O'Brien.

"We hope his successor will show a little more Christian charity towards openly gay people than the Cardinal did himself."

Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said on his Twitter account: "I am not a Catholic but his leadership will be missed."

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