ONCE again the hierarchy of the church has not learned from the past ("Vatican tells O'Brien to quit Scotland", The Herald, May 16).
The enforced exile of Keith O'Brien smacks of the evil days of the past when up until the 1960s it was common practice for young Catholic girls who found themselves pregnant to be sent away until they until they had given birth and the problem had disappeared. The babies then were removed from them and the girls returned home to "get on with their lives" as if nothing had happened.
As a lifelong practising Catholic the church's position saddens me. If a complaint is made against the cardinal then due process should take place with no interference from the church. If found guilty he should be stripped of his position within the church and I'm sure the council responsible for his beloved Dunbar would be able to find him a wee council flat to allow him to spend his retirement.
If not guilty, then he can move into his chosen church house and retain the position he had prior to the disclosures of the alleged actions.
Bernard Shepherd,
43 Culzean Crescent,
Kilmarnock.
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