'Pope’s own house must be put in order' says former Archbishop of Westminster

Feb 26 2013 By Cheryl Mullin

THE scandal-hit Catholic Church needs to undergo renewal and reform, the former leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales said today 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 which govern the 1.2 billion-strong global 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. It is not just the pope who rules the Church, it is the pope with the bishops.

“The pope is essential as a centre of unity and truth but he also cannot rule the Church without real association with the bishops.

“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 yesterday 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 surprised. I do not know anything about the details, I am sure that they will be addressed but certainly I was saddened. I know Cardinal O’Brien well, so I think it has been very sad.