THE scandal that has enveloped the Catholic Church in Scotland after Cardinal Keith O'Brien admitted sexual misconduct has had a bigger impact than the Pope's visit to Scotland in 2010, a senior figure has warned.

Peter Kearney, the church's head of media, also said the institution had failed to provide help and support on issues of sexuality in the past.

Mr Kearney spoke out after Cardinal Keith O'Brien admitted sexual misconduct following claims by priests.

"The level of global media interest in this story has been unprecedented. We've never encountered anything like it and I include in that the interest in and coverage of the Pope's visit in 2010," he said.

"In the case of the Pope's visit, there was a high level of coverage, but it was over a period of months and weeks - and it was a completely different tone and nature to this."

On the issue of supporting those dealing with issues of sexuality, he added: "If there's an area where the Church hasn't been seen, frankly because it's not present, it's in that area of compassionate, pastoral outreach to people who are struggling with same-sex attraction, or they're confused about it and would love the chance to talk to someone in a compassionate, pastoral context," he told BBC Scotland.

"The truth of it is, that level of support really isn't there. If you've got a drug or alcohol problem, or homelessness, then we seem to be able to step in and offer you support, help and options. But when it comes to human sexuality, it just isn't there at the moment. And that's unfortunate."

Last week, Archbishop Philip Tartaglia – who replaced the cardinal in the Archdiocese of Edinburgh and St Andrews after his resignation – said the Church had been accused of hypocrisy "for obvious reasons".

Mr Keanrey agreed, but added: "If you come at it from a Catholic perspective, you have to say we are all flawed, fallible human beings. Everyone fails in one way or another, or at one time or another. We have to just accept that.

"When it happens to some one in such a high-profile and significant position, as it has done recently, the impact is enormous, compared to it happening to one of us in our daily lives, but the underlying issue is the same."

Meanwhile, plans for the Papal Nuncio to visit Scotland to celebrate the 75th birthday of Cardinal O'Brien appear to have been cancelled.

Archbishop Antonio Menini, the Vatican's official in the UK, had been scheduled to be guest of honour at the St Patrick's Day event, which would also have been the official date of Cardinal O'Brien's resignation.

But with Cardinal O'Brien's whereabouts unknown, it is unlikely any of his planned engagements will take place.

It emerged last week that Cardinal O'Brien had been summoned to Rome in October last year to answer charges of sexual impropriety. It had been believed the misconduct claims only emerged on February 23.

The complaint, revealed last Friday and the fifth in recent weeks, is alleged to have been triggered by a claim of inappropriate behaviour towards a priest in 2001.

The Herald has also been told it is highly unlikely Cardinal O'Brien will return to his official residence in Morningside, Edinburgh, with some concerns in Catholic circles that he is not being afforded the same pastoral care as those who have made the allegations.

Cardinal O'Brien had been due to spend his 75th birthday with a Stirling-based order of priests, the Kiltegan Fathers, also known as the St Patrick's Missionary Society. The Bishops Conference, the decision-making body for the Catholic Church in Scotland, is to meet for three days after. While that will still take place, the involvement of the Nuncio, who only visits Scotland about twice a year, is expected to be cancelled.

There is also speculation the Church may use the Bishop's Conference as a platform to make a further statement on the unprecedented scandal to hit the church.