The Church may be quite good at handing out punishments, but seems less good in letting some sinners know they are forgiven
The news that Cardinal O’Brien is now a cardinal in name only is
not really news. Two years ago, he was not present at the conclave that
elected Pope Francis. Given that the only real function that cardinals
exercise of right is that of voting in a conclave, one can say that by
staying away, Cardinal O’Brien effectively resigned his privileges then.
What has happened now is that this resignation has been made official. http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2015/03/23/cardinal-obrien-cant-be-exiled-forever/