More controversy regarding the Catholic Church--- this time surrounding Britain's most senior cleric. Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, rejected allegations he behaved inappropriately with other priests.
Three priests and a former priest are accusing O'Brien of inappropriate behavior stretching back 30 years. One priest complained that O' Brien approached him after evening prayers and another said he was approached after a night of drinking. They've registered their complaints with the Vatican and are demanding his immediate resignation, adding that they want the conclave to choose the next Pope to be "clean."
As to whether O'Brien should be allowed to choose Benedict's successor, another church leader Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Conner had this to say.
SOUNDBITE: Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Conner saying:
"It will be up to him (to decide if he wants to vote for the next pope) and I think rightly so. These allegations have not been proved in anyway so I think he will have to decide whether he goes or not."
Reaction among churchgoers outside t St Mary's Catholic Cathedral in Edinburgh is mixed.
SOUNDBITE: Scottish Entrepreneur, Tom Farmer saying:
"We'll wait and see what the outcome is. The cardinal is a good man."
SOUNDBITE: Unnamed Female Churchgoer saying:
"We trust the church to make the right decisions. You know, they're good leaders and we'll come out fine.
SOUNDBITE: Unnamed Female Churchgoer saying:
"Well I think obviously, they are going to have to answer questions about it and just as the rest of the Catholic Church has had to face up to a lot of questions in the recent past."
SOUNDBITE: Unnamed Female Churchgoer saying:
"But of course, I don't know what's happened and what this is all about, so I'm very sorry that he's had to go through this and I hope he can clear his name."
It isn't clear at this point whether O'Brien will join more than 100 cardinals at the Vatican to elect the new pope.
