Keith O'Brien
Keith Michael Patrick O'Brien (17 March 1938 – 19 March 2018) was a senior-ranking Catholic prelate in Scotland. He was the Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh from 1985 to 2013.
Keith O'Brien | |
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O'Brien in 2007 | |
| Archdiocese | St Andrews and Edinburgh |
| Appointed | 30 May 1985 |
| Installed | 5 August 1985 |
| Term ended | 25 February 2013 |
| Predecessor | Gordon Gray |
| Successor | Leo Cushley |
| Other post(s) | Cardinal-Priest of SS Gioacchino ed Anna al Tuscolano (2003–2018) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 3 April 1965 by Gordon Gray |
| Consecration | 5 August 1985 by Gordon Gray |
| Created cardinal | 21 October 2003 by Pope John Paul II |
| Rank | Cardinal-priest |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Keith Michael Patrick O'Brien 17 March 1938 Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 19 March 2018 (aged 80) Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Previous post(s) | Apostolic Administrator of Argyll and The Isles, Scotland (1996–1999) |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh |
| Motto | Serve the Lord with gladness |
| Coat of arms | |
O'Brien was the leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland and had been the head of its conference of bishops until he stepped down as archbishop in February 2013. O'Brien's resignation followed publication of allegations that he had engaged in inappropriate and predatory sexual conduct with priests and seminarians under his jurisdiction and abused his power. O'Brien was opposed to homosexuality, which he described as "moral degradation", and a vehement opponent of same-sex marriage.
On 20 March 2015, the Vatican announced that though he remained a member of the College of Cardinals, O'Brien would not exercise his rights or duties as a cardinal, in particular voting in papal conclaves; he had excused himself from participating in the 2013 conclave. O'Brien died after a fall, aged 80, on 19 March 2018.