The scandal-hit Catholic Church needs to undergo renewal and reform, the former leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales said as he called for the “Pope’s own house to be put in order” in the wake of recent troubles.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, retired Archbishop of Westminster, said the successor to Benedict XVI would need to be able to tackle reform of the Roman Curia, the Vatican departments that govern the church.
“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 told a news conference.
“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.”
He continued: “As you know, there have been troubles in recent years, and scandals.
“Well, this has got to be addressed and especially the pope’s own house has to be put in order.”
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor was speaking after the Catholic Church in Britain was plunged into crisis following the resignation of Cardinal Keith O’Brien as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, amid allegations of “inappropriate” behaviour towards fellow priests.
Cardinal O’Brien has denied the allegations and is taking legal advice.
Asked what his initial reaction had been to Cardinal O’Brien’s resignation, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor said: “Obviously, I was very sad. I do not know anything about the details, I am sure that they will be addressed, but certainly I was saddened.
He added: “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.
“So I think we have to leave it like that.”
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor said part of the role of the apostolic administrator appointed to the diocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh while the post remains vacant would be to examine the allegations made against Cardinal O’Brien.
Cardinal O’Brien said he will not travel to Rome to take part in the conclave to elect a new pope in order to avoid becoming a focus of media attention.
His decision has left Britain’s Roman Catholics with no vote in the conclave as Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, at 80 years old, is ineligible.
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, who flies to Rome to take part in pre-meetings before the conclave starts, said he regretted the fact that Britain has no vote.
He added that he was also “sorry” that Archbishop Vincent Nichols, his successor as Archbishop of Westminster, had not yet been made a cardinal.