Today the Dean of the College of Cardinals issued the following Press Release:

“The Holy Father has accepted the resignation of the rights and privileges of a Cardinal, expressed in canons 349, 353 and 356 of the Code of Canon Law, presented by His Eminence Cardinal Keith Michael Patrick O’Brien, Archbishop Emeritus of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, after a long period of prayer. With this provision, His Holiness would like to manifest his pastoral solicitude to all the faithful of the Church in Scotland and to encourage them to continue with hope the path of renewal and reconciliation.”

The canons cited in the Press Release relate to the specific rights and privileges of the cardinalate that have been renounced by Cardinal O’Brien, who retains the title of cardinal: those relating to the special college of papal electors, (Canon 349); participation in the Consistories, (Canon 353); and working with the Pope and travelling to Rome when summoned, (Canon 356). Continue reading →