So, my faith in Keith Michael Patrick O'Brien was misplaced! I had said that, from the little personal knowledge I had of him, it would require some very clear, and incontrovertible evidence before I would consider him to be guilty of the alleged offences that had become headline news only a week ago. I have to accept that a personal confession is pretty compelling evidence!
So that's it - at least as far as some appear to think! The man is a total hypocrite. There he was, helping to spearhead the move against the redefinition of marriage, referring to same-gender marriage as "a grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right" while, all of the time, he had been playing 'hanky-panky' with some junior priests!
At least two things need to be said. First of all, "inappropriate behaviour" - which is the charge levelled against the Cardinal, and to which he has now confessed - does not even suggest homosexual activity! However, there is an even more important point. These activities, whatever they were, appear to have taken place some thirty (or
more) years ago and, even although it now appears to be "open
season" on the Cardinal, no further (and later) accusations have been
made. This would indicate, to this particular sinner, that he had repented,
i.e. turned away from the relevant sin. If that is true, then his
forgiveness is, surely, assured. Last night, I quoted from the (old) Anglican Prayer-book, in its call to the Lord's Table:“You that do truly and earnestly repent you
of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to
lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth
in His holy ways; draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your
comfort, and make your humble confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon
your knees.” Who am I; who is any one of us; to assume that Cardinal O'Brien did not, all of those years ago, repent of his sins?
Someone else has asked the questions: "Which of us has nothing in our past that
could be made to look bad in the newspapers? Which of us has not “fallen
short of the standards” expected of our state in life?" Alongside such perfectly legitimate questions, I would simply place the words of the only One Who could ask even
His enemies, "Which of you convicts me of sin?" (He received no
answer!): "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone!"
The Cardinal, it could be argued, has an even more difficult path to tread now than even those with whom he behaved in an inappropriate fashion so very long ago. While in no way condoning his former actions, I wish him well - as one sinner (saved by grace) to another!
[By the way, there is a whole chapter on the subject of "Repentance" in my e-book: "Getting to know you - Great Words of the Christian Faith". Details at the top of the blog!]